Potatoes and onions from King Estate, Washington apples, Hood River pears, oranges from California.
Thanks to donations from local and regional farms, excess produce from California and produce from FFLC gardens, we are distributing more fresh produce than ever before — and our recipients are loving it.
Our emergency food box pantries are distributing more produce. We’re offering more cooking classes and nutrition education classes to teach people know how to use the fruits and vegetables they get from us. And a few years ago we created a new program called Produce Plus to get fresh fruits and vegetables to locations where people already are.
We’re integrating health care and hunger relief by partnering with health-related organizations. Partners include health clinics where Oregon Health Plan members are receiving care, Volunteers in Medicine, Springfield Family Physicians, Department of Human Services, Lane County Community Health Centers, PeaceHealth’s Senior Health and Wellness Center and Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
Connie Sullivan is the WIC program supervisor for Lane County Public Health.
“We’re really fortunate to be able to work with FOOD for Lane County on Produce Plus.” said Sullivan. “Our clients tell us that it’s really difficult to buy fresh fruits and vegetables because they’re expensive, and they don’t get as many as they would like.”
“This program fits so perfectly with the education we do here at WIC. All our staff are very happy that it’s here. We signed up immediately.”