Farmers Against Hunger is a unique food rescue program that collects fresh fruits and vegetables

from New Jersey farms and distributes it, free of charge, to organizations that help feed people. Started in 1996 by a few area farmers, the program now includes nearly 50 farmers, 3 grocery store chains, and 2 produce wholesalers who support the program year-round.

In 2004, nearly 1.5 million pounds of produce was collected and distributed to help feed approximately 6,000 people weekly. The mission of Farmers Against Hunger is to collect and distribute surplus fruits and vegetables from New Jersey farms to those in need through local community organizations. Our goal is to help feed those who are hungry or food-insecure in New Jersey and educate clients about the importance of a diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The program currently has two trucks on the road collecting and distributing produce. Collections and distributions are arranged so that produce collected on any day is distributed the same day, or at the latest, the next day. Produce is distributed to organizations dedicated to helping people: food banks, churches, soup kitchens, and other organizations with a meal or pantry program. Currently food is distributed to organizations throughout much of New Jersey.

Gleanings are another important part of the program: each year nearly 1,000 volunteers come out to fields to help pick and package produce. This is great way to educate the non-farm public about life on a New Jersey farm today, while receiving thousands of pounds of produce for distribution..

The third piece of the Farmers Against Hunger program is an education component. Two years ago a cookbook/nutrition guide was published to educate clients about the values of a diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables. To date 400 of these books have been distributed to organizations for their clients. The guide focuses on New Jersey produce and includes nutrition information, storage information, and simple-to-prepare recipes.

A poster showing the values of fresh produce as opposed to fast food has also been printed and is currently being distributed to farm stands, partner organizations and WIC offices throughout New Jersey.