Contact: Marlo DelSordo
215-339-0900 x 330
mdelsordo@philabundance.org
February 11, 2008
'Fresh for ALL' A New Program Puts Produce Directly Into The Hands
Of People In Need
Philabundance Plans Five Fresh for All Pilot Sites for 2008
PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Feb. 11, 2008 --Getting free, fresh fruits and vegetables directly to people in need in the Delaware Valley is now easier with the recent launch of Fresh for All , Philabundance’s newest program in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
With the recent openings of the first two Fresh for All pilot sites in Delaware County, Pa., and Salem County, N.J., Philabundance, the region’s largest food bank and food rescue organization, launches Fresh for All, a program that delivers fresh, quality fruits and vegetables to people in areas that have limited access to these fundamental food groups. Three additional pilot sites in Burlington, Camden and Delaware counties will open in the spring of 2008.
“As the need in the Delaware Valley continues to increase, we are working on innovative distribution programs like Fresh for All to combat hunger and malnutrition,” said Bill Clark, President and Executive Director, Philabundance. “With the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables rising, these healthy foods are the first to go when money is tight. Philabundance has selected five areas for 2008, based on the greatest need in the community and we have a goal of providing 250 households at each site with five pounds of food every week.”
In its mission to fight hunger and malnutrition in our region, Philabundance anticipates that Fresh for All will help fill the gap by delivering healthy food choices to people in need and enabling them to provide their children with nutritional value at the table. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention New Jersey has the nation’s highest obesity rate at 17.5 percent, among young, low-income children ages two through five. To combat obesity New Jersey set-up the anti-obesity agency to spend more than $2 million in nutrition and fitness programs, including promoting providing fresh fruit and vegetables to eligible women, children and senior citizens.
Philabundance estimates that there are approximately 900,000 people in the Delaware Valley that need help with food. Through its network of more than 600 agencies, food is distributed to approximately 65,000 people every week. The need greatly exceeds the capacity of the existing network. To do this will require new and innovative ways of distributing large amounts of food to those in need. Fresh for All is a new approach to getting healthy food into the communities who need it.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)
In order for individuals to take advantage of this free program, they need only provide basic household information. Since Fresh for All is not connected with any government agency, signing up will not affect any other benefits individuals are receiving. Philabundance asks that anyone interested bring their own boxes or bags to distributions.
Volunteers Needed
Philabundance is actively seeking volunteers to help Fresh for All succeed. Though times vary by location, each distribution requires approximately 2-3 hours and 10-15 volunteers to serve 150-200 individuals. Fresh for All currently needs volunteers for Salem New Jersey and Woodlyn, PA. For more information on Fresh for All or to become a Fresh for All member or volunteer contact Tunisia at 215-339-0900 x 238
Current Fresh for All Locations:Delaware County Housing Authority Community Center 1825 Constitution Ave., Woodlyn, PA 19094 Distributions every Friday, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. St. John’s Pentecostal Outreach22 New Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079Distributions every Wednesday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fresh for All
Volunteers
# # # |
