Fresh Routes’ Post

Our tagline of “Fresh, Local Food For All” is more than just words: it’s the philosophy we embrace every day. We firmly believe that everyone who lives in North Carolina should have access to the healthy, nutritious, beautiful food that’s grown here. This year, we will contribute 850,000 pounds of local food to the emergency food system – that’s the equivalent of 700,000 meals! Just this week, we were able to deliver 28,640 pounds of nutrient-rich local produce to partner organizations across the Triangle, thanks to the support of our community! In partnership with multiple direct-service agencies, 716 boxes of North Carolina-grown produce and proteins are on their way to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. We hope you’ll consider helping us grow our hunger relief work in 2024. Make fresh, local food a reality for all by donating today through the link below: https://lnkd.in/eFHVnH9Q . . . . . . . . . . . . #farmerfoodshare #farmerfoodsharecommunitypartner #farmerfoodsharecommunity #nonprofit #foodaccess #foodaccessibility #foodsecurity #durhamnc #trianglenc #hungerrelief #freshlocalfoodforall #localfood #fooddistribution #eatlocal #northcarolina #localfarms #food #sproutnewgrowth

California is stepping up to address food insecurity this holiday season, with organizations across the state making significant strides to support those in need. Despite being a top producer of fruits and vegetables, approximately 8.8 million Californians, including children, seniors, and veterans, face uncertainty about their next meal. Thanks to local food banks and community efforts, hope is being served across the state. In Sacramento County, the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services distributes over 3.25 million pounds of food each month, helping more than 305,000 individuals. Meanwhile, in San Joaquin County, the Emergency Food Bank of Stockton/San Joaquin provided for over 854,000 people in 2023, with even greater outreach expected this year. Yolo County’s Yolo Food Bank supports over 22,000 households monthly, while Feeding the Foothills is making a difference across El Dorado, Nevada, and Placer counties by collaborating with Feeding America. The Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano delivers 2.7 million meals annually, while the Second Harvest of the Greater Valley reaches an eight-county region, assisting 35,000 individuals every month. In Yuba and Sutter Counties, the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank ensures regular food distributions focused on nutrition. Every $5 donation can provide up to 15 meals, showcasing how small contributions create meaningful change. As the season of giving continues, communities are uniting to ensure everyone can celebrate with a full plate and a hopeful heart. Original author: Staff (ABC10). Great News Summary made with help from ChatGPT. https://lnkd.in/gQ5j_PDN

🪴 FRESHFARM believes that everyone deserves access to healthy, locally grown produce. This is why we offer the Market Share, our weekly produce box, at steeply discounted rates for individuals experiencing food insecurity in the Washington, DC metro area. Your donation this spring can directly support neighbors using SNAP benefits by helping them access weekly fresh food at a low cost. 🪴 Last year, the generosity of our community ensured that 346 low-income shoppers received healthy, farm-fresh food every single week. Your gift will make a real difference for local families. One neighbor, Marina, explains, “The share has been a huge help, to just have more food, and to be able to buy less from the grocery store. My two children eat way more fruits and vegetables; they generally eat way healthier.” 🪴 Every Market Share purchased through donations also directly supports small- and mid-sized farmers in the FRESHFARM network, many of whom are traditionally under-represented in farming. With a gift today, you can support local farmers and help your neighbors bring home local produce. 🪴 Your gift of $80 provides a month of groceries for a family of four; or a gift of $20 can support the family for a week. We can lower food insecurity in our region, one family at a time, but we can only do it with the help of caring neighbors like you! Donate to put affordable food in reach for your neighbors!: https://bit.ly/3QDLpdZ #FRESHFARM #SpringAppeal . . . #dcfarmersmarkets #foodaccess #foodsecurity #SNAPmatters #SNAPEBT #SNAPacceptedHere #mdfarmersmarkets #vafarmersmarkets #foodismedicine

This Giving Tuesday, we're proud to announce our Holiday Give-Back Campaign in partnership with Feed Ontario! We're committed to making a difference this holiday season by ensuring families in need have access to fresh, nutritious food. For every $100 spent on our platform, we’ll donate a box of fresh produce and pantry staples to Feed Ontario, helping to fight food insecurity across the province. Every statistic represents a person—someone’s neighbour, parent, or child. Last year, over 1,001,005 people in Ontario relied on food banks, and 43% of them were seeking help for the first time. These are our community members, facing difficult choices—food on the table or paying the bills. The truth is, food insecurity is closer than we think. The families who rely on food banks are not strangers; they’re people just like us—our neighbours, coworkers, and friends. They’re working hard to get by, but sometimes the struggle becomes too much. At Tre'dish, we believe no one should go without the essentials they need. By shopping with us, you’re doing more than filling your cart—you’re helping a neighbour who might be just around the corner. Together, we can make sure they don’t face these challenges alone. As a company dedicated to supporting local communities, we believe access to healthy food is a fundamental right—not just for the holidays, but all year long. Here’s how you can make a difference: * Shop with Tre'dish—every $100 spent means a donation to Feed Ontario. * Spread the word! Share this post and encourage others to join the cause. The more people we reach, the more families we can support. Learn more and join the movement at tredish.com

Record Numbers at NYC Food Pantries: A Growing Crisis 🍎 New York City food pantries are experiencing unprecedented demand--up 80% from pre-pandemic levels--with many community members facing food insecurity at alarming rates. As the cost of living rises, more families are turning to pantries for essential support. This surge reflects the ongoing challenges our city is facing. At Gotham Food Pantry, we’re witnessing firsthand how critical our role is in addressing this need. It’s not just about providing food—it’s about offering dignity, hope, and a lifeline to those in need. September is Hunger Action Month. Here are five action items individuals can take during Hunger Action Month: 1. Volunteer at a local food pantry – Dedicate your time to help distribute food, organize donations, or support events aimed at fighting hunger in your community. 2. Donate non-perishable items – Collect and donate shelf-stable foods like canned goods, pasta, and rice to local food pantries or food drives. 3. Host a fundraising event – Organize a virtual or in-person fundraiser, such as a bake sale or walkathon, to raise money for your favorite hunger relief organizations. 4. Advocate for food security policies – Contact local representatives to support policies that address food insecurity, such as increased funding for food programs or access to affordable, healthy food. 5. Spread awareness on social media – Share facts, resources, and stories about hunger and food insecurity using the hashtag #HungerActionMonth to raise awareness and inspire others to get involved. #FoodInsecurity #NYCCommunity #FightHunger #GothamFoodPantry

According to the United Nations, one-third of the world’s food is wasted. In the US, food waste is 40%—enough to feed 2 billion people. Yet, a recent food mapping study concluded that 1 in 8 Pennsylvanians in our own communities struggle to secure nutritious food. To address local food waste and insecurity, Eat Share has been exploring innovative ways to redistribute food to members of our communities. From this endeavor, we have developed Food Forward Donations. Our Food Forward initiative welcomes local restaurants, caterers, farmers, grocery stores and others to donate their excess food, rather than waste it. So far in 2024, Food Forward donations have provided meals to 29 appreciative families. Donations have included leftover prepared foods from events—like sandwiches, chicken, collard greens, pulled pork, mac and cheese, baked beans, and cookies—as well as frozen hams, pot roasts, and fresh garden veggies. Contact us anytime and Eat Share volunteers will collect your donations, package them into meals, and deliver locally. Learn more at eatshare.org/foodforward #eatshare #northcentralpa #neighborshelpingneighbors #foodforwardncpa

For over two years, Manna has seen skyrocketing demand for food, including to-go meals, and we need your help to cover our rising costs. Manna is currently preparing and providing over 11,000 to-go meals every month, MORE THAN DOUBLE the 5,000 we were preparing and providing in spring 2022. To-go meals offer a convenient way for people to access food. People can take as many meals as they need, and also share them with family and friends who need food. To-go meals are available in meat, pork, seafood and vegetarian options and include an entree, sides, snacks and beverage. As with our sit-down community meals, we provide to-go meals to anyone in need, "no questions asked," in order to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. From time to time, however, we conduct surveys so we can learn and improve. In February and March, Manna conducted a daily survey with all to-go meal guests. Here's a snapshot of our findings: • On average, over 120 people get to-go meals every day. • For every person who gets to-go meals, three people are fed, because people take meals to share with others. • On average, our to-go meals feed over 300 people every day. Even though we use donated food, each to-go meal costs Manna about $4.33 to produce. With the increased amount of meals Manna is distributing, we need your help to cover our increased costs. Please consider donating today! Thank you to all of our food donors, volunteers and staff who make it possible for us to continue meeting the growing demand for food in our community. Use this link to donate to Manna: https://lnkd.in/errSm4XX #EndHunger #NorthPenn #Community #MontcoPA

Georgia Main Food Group Limited is leading the charge in reducing food waste—and they’re doing it through action, not just donations. In partnership with the Immigrant Link (ILCS), Georgia Main staff recently spent a day volunteering to pack and distribute nutritious food hampers for families in need. This experience brought them face-to-face with the people and communities they’ve been supporting through their food recovery program. Since partnering with FoodMesh in 2020, Georgia Main has diverted 2.4 million kg of unsold food—equivalent to more than 4 million meals—to charitable organizations. Read all about it in our latest post on the Quirky Pear blog: https://lnkd.in/gg7QKks6 This is the kind of leadership we need to fight hunger and reduce environmental impact. By not only donating unsold food but also stepping onto the frontlines, Georgia Main is helping to build a stronger, more sustainable future for everyone. A huge thank you to ILCS for their tireless work, and to the Georgia Main team for going above and beyond! 💡 Is your business ready to take action against food waste and make a difference in your community? Contact us today to learn how we can help you waste less and feed more. #Sustainability #FoodWasteReduction #CorporateSocialResponsibility #CommunityImpact #HungerActionMonth #FoodRecovery #MetroVanLovesFood

Holidays like Thanksgiving are about warmth and enrichment, but for those facing food insecurity, it can be a stressful time. Project Bread CEO Erin McAleer is here with a message for you. No one should go hungry — certainly not during the holidays. Your gift today is more than a holiday meal. It’s a lifeline. We help about 20,000 people per year through our FoodSource Hotline, from assisting people with finding free meals for their kids to guiding them with their SNAP applications. Donating today provides families with reliable access to food, choice in what they eat, and relief from daily hunger worries. Not just on Thanksgiving, but all year long. Give today: https://lnkd.in/gNf5ekTh