Hartford – (9-10-20) – The Prosperity Foundation, Hartford Renaissance District and Community Based Organizations, provided the opportunity from the USDA to receive 1,400 21-pound boxes of food once per month for the North Hartford Community on Barbour Street.
Thursday, September 10th an 18-wheeler brought in 1,400 pounds of pre-packaged fresh and organic fruit and vegetables for families, elderly, shut-in and any person in need of food at no cost.
“We had to jump on this wonderful opportunity to bring about these events, to a much need community. As a added bonus, each month a 1,400 21-pound boxes of pre-packaged organic meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables will be delivered to Barbour Street for our community. Understanding the winter months are coming upon us, this will be a blessing for the community, said Hill Funeral Home owner Howard Hill”.
The USDA approved $1.2 billion in contracts for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program designed to connect excess meat, dairy and produce on farms with families facing food insecurity. The funding far exceeds the $100 million per month the department initially planned for the program, due to high interest and need. The program will purchase $461 million in fresh fruits and vegetables, $317 million in dairy, $258 million in meat and $175 million in a combination box of fresh produce, dairy or meat products.
The American Farm Bureau Federation and Feeding America, the country’s largest hunger relief organization, sent a letter to the USDA requesting a nimble approach to quickly and effectively get food from America’s farms to the nation’s food banks and others addressing food insecurity.
Hundreds of cars lined Barbour Street with short waits to pull up and be handed the food boxes. It was an all unified volunteer effort by community leaders. ( Photos by Reggie Hales-Inquiring News).
