Produce drop program launched in Mercer County
School is out for the summer. For many families, that means the kids will be hanging around the house a lot more often.
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STONEBORO, Pa. - School is out for the summer. For many families, that means the kids will be hanging around the house a lot more often.
"My kids would rather have fresh fruits and vegetables over canned and frozen," said Mollie Blair of Stoneboro.
This summer, many Mercer County families, like the Blair's, will have the chance to enjoy more fresh fruits and veggies.
The Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County recently received a $10,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System, or PASS, which connects Pennsylvania farmers to charitable food organizations. So, the agency has been able to purchase fresh produce, like apples from Apple Castle, and deliver them to local food pantries.
"In our role as a food bank, we are constantly striving to make sure that people get better food all the time and what is better than fresh? Fresh produce is top of the line. So, making that available to them and letting them use it as they wish instead of just dumping out of a can. They can use it in different ways," said Lori Weston with the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County.
A grant from the Walmart Foundation is helping the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County distribute the produce from Pennsylvania farmers. The monies have allowed the agency to purchase a refrigeration van.
"Whenever we are called, whether it's for a donation or whether we actually contract for buying produce from a local farmer, we will use this van because in the heat of the summer. Things wilt quickly after they are picked up. So, we are able to pick up and make the transport easy with a refrigerated van," said Mimi Prada with the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County.
Once the state grant money runs out, the Community Food Warehouse will use the remaining grant money from the Walmart Foundation to continue Harvest Helpings, its produce drop program.
