Food Forward Fights Food Insecurity
Did you know that California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, yet 1 in 8 Californians currently struggle with food insecurity?
What is food insecurity?
Food insecurity is the occasional or constant lack of access to the food one needs for a healthy, active life.
In California, the child food insecurity rate hovers dangerously at 22.9%, meaning approximately one in four children go to bed hungry every night. This places California at the 19th highest child food insecurity rate in the nation, a statistic that really upsets me.
Food Forward to the rescue
I’m not the only one upset by these statistics. I recently came across Food Forward, an organization based here in Southern California that offers a simple, yet brilliant solution to this rising epidemic.
Every week, Food Forward staff and volunteers rescue 300,000 pounds of surplus produce. They then distribute 100% of that produce to over 300 hunger relief agencies across 8 counties.
How do they source their produce?
Some of the produce comes from fruit trees that no one is harvesting. We’ve all seen them, fruit-laden trees that no one seems to have the time or inclination to pick. Unfortunately, an all-too common sight here in Southern California. Produce is also sourced from local Farmer’s Markets and the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market.
You can make a difference
If you’re someone who enjoys helping others and loves being outdoors, you can participate in the Food Forward program by assisting in the harvest.
I recently took advantage of that opportunity and what an extraordinary experience it was. I spent a beautiful sunny day picking oranges and tangerines from an orchard brimming with ripe fruit. Fruit that otherwise would have ended up falling to the ground and being wasted. And I wasn’t alone. I worked alongside the nicest group of people, all motivated by the same goal. It was such a rewarding experience,
I intend to continue signing up and hope you’ll feel inspired to join us! It’s a great way to spend the day. Bring your friends and make it a group outing. It’s a wonderful example of how people can come together in simple ways and collectively have a huge impact! A fruitful endeavor, you might even say.
I believe in the work that Food Forward is doing and fully support this amazing organization.
Food resources impact our communities in more ways than one. Do you know what a Food Desert is? Read here
Watch and Learn More
For more information
visit Food Forward.org
