Because of our commitment to nutrition, the Food Bank for Westchester
purchases fresh foods from local farmers and
brokers for distribution to hungry Westchester residents. Every week, volunteers pack up 1,200 bags
of produce, with each bag containing four different vegetables
and two different fruits, with enough
to provide to a family of four for two to three
days. These produce bags are distributed to member
food pantries and sometimes soup kitchens “just
in time" for distribution to hungry people
in the community. Each bag also contains a recipe/food-handling
flier, in English and Spanish, that gives ways to use the produce and also to combine them with each other and with other foods..
The
Food Bank for Westchester currently spends approximately $250,000 annually
on Project Green Thumb with funds provided by
the New York State Department of Health Hunger
Prevention Nutrition Assistance Program. Year
to year these funds may increase or decrease, which
can affect the number of bags we can purchase and distribute weekly.
During the fiscal year 2010-2011, the Food Bank distributed over one
million pounds of fresh foods, of which 773,000
pounds were through Project Green Thumb.
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