Farmers Against Hunger has been helping local farmers donate their surplus produce to area soup kitchens, food pantries, and those in need for over 10 years. Created in 1996 by several local farmers, Farmers Against Hunger is a non- profit entity that operates year round and was designed to link farmers, grocery stores and produce suppliers with over 60 emergency feeding organizations, soup kitchens and service organizations, as well as providing produce to the state’s food banks. In 2007 alone, approximately 1.5 million pounds of fruits and vegetables were distributed throughout New Jersey serving thousands of individuals and their families each week. Since its inception, Farmers Against Hunger has collected and distributed more than 15 million pounds of produce to the state’s neediest – children, seniors and the working poor. All produce is donated to Farmers Against Hunger and is never sold! The importance of Farmers Against Hunger cannot be overstated. The focus of this unique hunger-relief program is on locally grown fresh produce. Often this fresh produce is missing from the diets of those who are hungry or food-insecure. Farmers Against Hunger is dedicated to delivering this fresh produce to thousands of New Jersey residents each and every week, 52 weeks a year. In addition to delivering fresh fruits and vegetables to those in need, Farmers Against Hunger has developed a nutrition program, teaching recipients the value of including more fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets. A cookbook/nutrition guide has been printed in English and Spanish that includes simple to prepare recipes and nutritional information about the fruits and vegetables that make up the program, from apples to zucchini. So far over 400 of these guides have been distributed to partner organizations and their clients. Gleanings are the third component of Farmers Against Hunger. Each year nearly 1,000 volunteers come out to farms during harvest season to help harvest produce for the program. Gleanings are a great way to educate the non-farm community about agriculture in our urban state while harvesting thousands of pounds of produce for the program. Farmers Against Hunger is a simple yet effective program that achieves dramatic results and makes a positive difference in the lives of thousands of hungry NJ residents. To donate produce, financial support or volunteer time, please call Program Director Judy Grignon at 609-462-9691. |
