Farmers donate fresh produce at Illinois food banks

According to Feeding America, in 2021, over a million people, or one out of every 11 people in Illinois face some form of hunger. One place these people rely on is food banks, which collect donations from several sources such as community members, retailers, and now farmers.

“Farm to Foodbank,” a pilot program started in 2021, just became fully funded as a permanent program in Illinois. This program makes it easier for farmers to donate their fresh produce to food banks.

Guests:

Zach Samaras
Technical Assistance Engineer, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center / Project Manager, Farm to Food Bank Pilot Program

MaryBeth Massey
SNAP-Ed Program Coordinator with U of I Extension out of Shelbyville

Jeanette Wennemacher
Agency Relations Specialist, Peoria Area Food Bank