Foodshare

Sunday, July 13, 2014

FARM-TO-FORK FOOD BANK

The Sacramento Food Bank has set out to create one of the nation’s first farm-to-fork food banks by sourcing all its produce from local farmers (of course that’s easier when you’re located in California’s Central Valley) . The Food Bank forged partnerships with local farmers, most of them organic, and upped the amount of fresh produce to more than half of clients’ food allotment. Then knowing that most clients live in food deserts without transportation to grocery stores and the region’s many farmers’ markets, they moved distribution sites to about two dozen neighborhood schools and churches they visit once a month. Just like at farmers’ markets, the produce is laid out on tables, and clients can "shop" for fresh carrots, kale, tomatoes, spinach, cabbage, squash or whatever else is in season. The number of families served has grown from 8,000 to 20,000 over The Sacramento bank distributes $5.5 million worth of food annually, but because of partnerships with local farmers it spends only $175,000 for it.

Source: Boston Edge, 7/9/14, Farm-to-Fork

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