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Feeding America recently reported that there are more than six billion domestic pounds of unutilized fresh produce annually, meaning that the potential for produce distribution by food banks beyond current output is staggering. For Feeding America’s six highest-volume commodities (potatoes, onions, apples, carrots, cabbage and sweet potatoes) 1.2 billion pounds grown in the United States are not harvested, and an additional 3.9 billion pounds of harvested produce are not sold. Today, the Feeding America network distributes approximately 350 million pounds of fresh produce per year. Fresh produce represents the most nutritious, lowest-cost and highest-volume potential food source for fighting hunger. Here at Second Harvest North Florida, we are working to incorporate more nutritious options in the product mix offered to our network members. We know that while all food offers people the ability to survive, nutritious food makes a positive difference in individuals’ health. We are developing relationships with the local agricultural communities, growers, produce shippers, brokers and packers to increase our overall donations of fresh fruits and vegetables. We’re learning more about the process of how produce gets from the seed to the fork and are expanding our produce procurement efforts by partnering with the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), the Florida Farm Bureau, Society of St. Andrew and various agricultural trade associations. Some nutritional products we find will be used in food bags delivered to Shands Jacksonville’s OB/ GYN Clinic in an effort to lower our community's exceedingly high infant mortality rates. Overall, our goals are to increase the amount of fresh produce we receive to half of all incoming pounds and make this produce available to the more than 300 member agencies we serve in Duval County. We will accept any produce that is consumable but not necessarily salable. This includes "second quality" produce that may not be attractive enough for retail stores but is still perfectly safe to eat. As our industry partners, we value your ongoing support and encourage you think about the produce you may carry in your inventory that could be donated. Your donations of fresh food make a real difference in the lives of people in our community. For more information concerning fresh produce donations or to arrange a produce pickup at your location, please contact Melanie Wright, fresh food procurement coordinator, at 904.517.5562. Second Harvest North Florida Volume 2 • Issue 3 • May 2010 www.WeNourishHope.org Feeding Hope SECOND HARVEST SEEKS FRESH FOOD TO MEET INCREASED NEED, OFFER HEALTHIER FOOD OPTIONS WE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO E HEY ARE CHILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN NOT CONCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME.” “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFTEN [THAT WE HAVE TO USE T OOD BANK], ONLY WHEN WORK SLOWS DOWN. WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID IT.” “WE STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I TRY TO FEED MY KIDS FIRST AND ME LAST.” “I WORK WITH CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ALWA AVE ENOUGH FOOD TO EAT. THEY ARE CHILDREN AND MANY TIMES THEY CAN NOT CONCENTRATE ON THEIR STUDIES, BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD IN THE HOME. “IT DOESN’T HAPPEN OFT THAT WE HAVE TO USE THE FOOD BANK], ONLY WHEN WORK SLOWS DOWN. WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO AVOID IT.” “EVERY MONTH A CHURCH, AFFILIATED WITH YOU ALL, BRINGS ME PLENTY OF FOOD. I COULD NEV a newsletter for food industry donors More than six billion pounds of fresh produce goes unutilized annually in our country. Donation ABCs: An alphabetical exploration of the many different kinds of products you can donate to Second Harvest. S: Samples: Does your company sample items through customer out- reach? If so, what is done with inven- tory that is left over from sampling? Seasonal Items: Does your com- pany produce products or provide special packaging for holidays, seasons of the year, or other mile- stones? If you are unable to sell this product after the holidays, what do you do with the existing inventory? Short-Coded Product: Does your company run into situations where you can no longer sell your product to your primary or even second- ary customers due to approaching code date expirations? If donating the product is an option, have you established extended use-by dates for your product line? If you have not, we can offer extended use-by date guidelines which other food manufacturers have established by product category. 20th Anniversary Jacksonville FOODFIGHT Thursday, June 10, 2010 6:30–9 p.m. Touchdown Club East Jacksonville Municipal Stadium $60 General Admission $85 VIP Admission Taste the finest food and spirits from 50 restaurants and beverage distributors! Tickets: 904.739.7074 or www.jacksonvillefoodfight.org All proceeds benefit Second Harvest North Florida
