Food collection
program sets record
First published in print:
Friday, January 1, 2010 TROY –
Capital District Community Gardens has announced that its Squash
Hunger program collected more than 10 tons of fresh fruits and
vegetables for the hungry in local communities, making the 2009
seasonal campaign the most successful since the program began.
The
Squash Hunger program links farmers, gardeners and others who donate
fresh produce and service organizations who can make use of the food
but often find the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables
cost-prohibitive.
The food is collected at donation bins located at shops and farmers
markets throughout the area and at numerous pickup locations for
farm share participants. Donated items are picked up regularly by
CDCG volunteers and delivered to local food pantries, shelters and
soup kitchens.
Since its inception in 2004, Squash Hunger has distributed 70,000
pounds of fresh produce.
CDCG Executive Director Amy Klein said the agency hopes to expand
'gleanings,' the harvesting of surplus produce from farm fields by
teams of volunteers organized by CDCG.
Klein expressed her agency's gratitude to all 2009 Squash Hunger
volunteers, farmers, gardeners and others who donated to their
neighbors in need and to area businesses that hosted CDCG collection
bins, including Roma Importing Co. (Latham), Delmar Farmers Market
and Delmar Marketplace (Delmar), Greulich's Market (Schenectady),
Honest Weight Food Co-Op (Albany), Hannaford Supermarkets in
Voorheesville and West Sand Lake, Kristy's Barn (Schodack), Troy
Farmers Market and Troy Little Italy Farmers Market (Troy).
The organization has already set its sights on exceeding this years'
collection total during the next Squash Hunger season, which will
run from June through October 2010.
To learn more about Squash Hunger and other CDCG programs, visit
www.cdcg.org or call CDCG at 274-8685.
-- Staff reports
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