Since 2005, the Farm to Family program has been a vital link in California, delivering over 200 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables annually to food banks across the state. This initiative not only provides nutritious food to communities but also significantly reduces food waste. Beyond fresh produce, the program also distributes essential shelf-stable items such as beans, soups, cereals, grains, and protein sources like eggs and meat, ensuring comprehensive food support.
How the Farm to Family Program Works
Benefits for Farmers in the Farm to Family Network
The Farm to Family program offers significant advantages to farmers. It ensures that high-quality, nutritious produce reaches families facing financial hardship, directly addressing food insecurity. By redirecting surplus produce, the program effectively minimizes food waste, turning potential loss into community benefit. Participating farmers are also eligible for a 15% tax credit, incentivizing their involvement and supporting the sustainability of their farming operations. Furthermore, the program includes a “pick and pack” fee to help farmers cover harvesting and packaging expenses. Importantly, the Farm to Family team manages all logistical aspects, allowing farmers to concentrate on their primary role: cultivating and harvesting food for our communities.
Benefits for Food Banks Through Farm to Family
For food banks, Farm to Family is instrumental in enhancing their capacity to provide nutritious food. The program facilitates a shift from a reliance on predominantly canned goods to incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables as a fundamental part of food distributions, improving the nutritional quality of support offered. It establishes a dependable supply of farm-fresh produce, ensuring consistent stock in food bank warehouses. The program also provides professional assistance in sourcing foods that are culturally relevant to diverse communities. Similar to farmers, food banks benefit from the program’s comprehensive logistical support, enabling them to focus on their core mission: feeding families and individuals within their communities effectively.
Join the Farm to Family Initiative
If you are a food producer or distributor interested in contributing to the Farm to Family program, we encourage you to connect with our team at farmtofamily@cafoodbanks.org. Your donations can make a significant impact on food security and community health.
Elio Angel, a farmer from Cache Produce, emphasizes the importance of the Farm to Family program in preventing food waste and ensuring healthy food reaches families, reinforcing the connection between farms and family nutrition.
“You work so hard to make sure you have a crop, and to watch good food go bad in the field, not get eaten — it really defeats what we’re doing out here. We’re doing what nature intended to do, which is to take care of the land and produce good, healthy food for families.”
–Elio Angel, Cache Produce
Recognizing Our Food Donors
Each year, the success of the Farm to Family program is driven by the generous contributions of farmers, packers, and distributors who donate food. As a leading food recovery initiative nationwide, California’s agricultural sector depends on Farm to Family to minimize surplus produce waste, and food banks rely on the program to support their food distribution efforts, creating a crucial partnership for community well-being.
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