Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Delaware’s Hungry

June 14, 2016

As summer’s crop of tomatoes, cucumbers and other backyard garden staples begin to sprout, the Food Bank of Delaware wants to remind the community that the hunger-relief organization and many of its network partners can accept fresh produce donations.

117,000-plus Delawareans depend on the Food Bank of Delaware’s network of hunger-relief partners. The need for fresh produce in the community is needed now more than ever, especially as low-income Delawareans struggle with healthcare issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and more.

According to Feeding America’s Hunger in America study, 66.5 percent of Delaware families in need of food assistance cope with food insecurity by purchasing food that is unhealthy because it is inexpensive. Produce donations are critical in ensuring that low-income adults and children receive proper nutrition.

“Donating extra veggies is the best way for gardeners of any size to give back to the community.  Every week during the growing season, we take fresh produce from the Master Gardeners’ Demo Garden to the Food Bank of Delaware,” said Kirsten Talley, a New Castle County Master Gardener. “They are always able to put it to good use, and it often goes to families in need within moments of dropping it off at the warehouse.”

Regardless of size, all donations help alleviate hunger.

Last year, the Food Bank of Delaware received more than 1.6 million pounds of produce from wholesalers, the Port of Wilmington, farmers and backyard gardeners. This year the Food Bank hopes to exceed that amount. Produce donations that are most-needed include:

• Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Watermelon
• Eggplant
• Peppers
• Corn
• Green Beans
• Cantaloupe
• Greens
• Cucumbers
• Squash
• Carrots

Individuals and farmers interested in donating surplus produce to the Food Bank of Delaware may contact Matt Talley, Produce Access Coordinator, at mtalley@fbd.org or calling (302) 292-1305 ext 249. For more information about fresh produce donations, please visit http://www.fbd.org/produce/.