Connecting Farmers to Families
The USDA recently approved a program called Farmers To Families Food Box Program to purchase food from United States farmers and deliver it to hungry people. This program will help farms, families and everyone in between to keep our food supply system going during the COVID 19 crisis.
Everyone has been affected by the difficulties resulting from the corona virus pandemic. I have some great news today about a new USDA program that will help families and farmers weather the storm.
Farmers are growing healthful foods, fresh produce, dairy, meats, but the restaurants and food service that purchase the food are closed. Families are hungry – they have lost jobs and are unable to get fresh fruits and vegetables to feed their children. We need a connection to help keep our USA farmers in business and to feed families who are in need — and now it’s here!
More information and FAQ’s:
Want to know more? Here’s website describing the programs and answering questions: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box
Non-Profit 501c3 Organizations Can Receive Boxes of Food
Any non-profit 501c3 organization can sign up with an approved contractor to receive boxes of food, whether it’s dairy, meat, or fresh produce. Recurring deliveries can be made over the initial 6 week period, May 15-June 30 and it is possible that the program will be renewed for up to 3 more 6 week periods. There is a nationwide list of approved contractors. Schools, churches, food banks, any organization with 5013C status can get these boxes. The food must be given out to families and people who are able to eat them. We can deliver hundreds, thousands, or truckloads of boxes to non-profits who can distribute this food. Set up a drive-thru pick-up system, or deliver the boxes to doorsteps with volunteers. Each participant can use their resources to make this program work.
California Avocados Direct is an Approved Contractor
Our family has an avocado and tangerine gift box business called California Avocados Direct.Com When the COVID19 Stay at Home order took effect, our son Ben Holtz began shipping Variety Boxes that include fresh vegetables in addition to the fruits. He began partnering with Alive And Well Natural Healing in Murrieta and through that partnership a “Donate Now” feature was added, so that our customers could donate boxes to needy families.
Ben learned about the Farmers to Families Food Box program and decided to apply to be an approved contractor. He filled out the application on May 1st, and just last Friday he learned that he received a contract to provide boxes of vegetables and fruits. He has mobilized a small army of people who are willing and able to make this program successful in our area and in other states as well. We couldn’t be prouder to be part of this effort to keep farmers in business, help all those who work in the supply chain of fresh produce, and ultimately feed the families and individuals who cannot easily get these fresh fruits and vegetables that build immunity and contribute to wellness.
Cindy Kelly delivering boxes of fresh produce to needy families in the Temecula, CA area
Reaching Out to Share the Farmers to Families Food Box Program
Cindy Kelly, the owner of Alive and Well, is helping to build a network to distribute this healthful food. She was able to get a radio spot on 102.5 Vine radio, and through that exposure she is doing interviews to spread the word. Watch this Facebook Live Interview.
Listen to May 12, 2020 Radio interview on 102.5 Vine
How to Help
Reach out to your local non-profits and share this post. Volunteer to help with the distribution of boxes if they need personnel. Tell your local schools, churches, and service groups about the program. We have a few short weeks to do this – and the opportunity to help many people is worth the effort! Share this post on Facebook, spread the word about this generous program.
Boxes from California Avocados Direct
If you are a non-profit organization or a farmer in the southwest United States and want to connect with California Avocados Direct, send an e-mail to [email protected] and we’ll return your call. We are located in north San Diego county and can service our area as well as other states, Arizona and Texas are in the works. If you are in other parts of the country, find your approved contractors here.
Final Notes
Our friends at Melissas Produce in Los Angeles can also supply boxes. If your non-profit is in LA, call them now.
Have more questions? Leave a comment below and I will get right back to you. Let’s work together to help our country get through this difficult time!
