Posted on July 17, 2020
As the pandemic advanced, farmers markets halted, many began reading stories of produce rotting on the vines, and those in the space of operating a food pantry and nutrition programs for the community tried to anticipate what it would mean if supply chains were disrupted and we couldn’t get nonperishable staples for client families — let alone the fresh items that we know clients rely on to not only feed but nourish their loved ones. Thanks to our collaboration with Food Forward, the Karsh Center has not had to see that worry materialize.
Food Forward is an amazing organization that “fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need and inspiring others to do the same.” Two Sundays a month for more than three years, Karsh Center volunteers have visited the Larchmont and Hollywood Farmers Markets, where Food Forward volunteers are waiting to hand off boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables that market vendors donate at the end of the day. These boxes would make their way back to the Karsh Center, where volunteers would sort this produce and bring it to families through our Mobile Food Pantry.
We’ve had the opportunity to increase to getting produce twice a week, receiving a bounty of vibrant produce from the Santa Monica Farmers Market as well as a special distribution hosted by Social Justice Learning Institute and Hudnall Elementary School in the Inglewood United School District.
This year alone, we have received over 3,000 lbs of fresh produce, including boxes of lettuce, bananas, stone fruit, dragon snap peas, mangos, and much more. Fresh fruits and vegetables make an important difference in a family’s wellness and nutrition, and are thankful to Food Forward and SJLI for making these items available to our communities!
Beautiful boxes of mangos from Food Forward!