The Deadline to Apply for this Program is Friday, May 1, 2020.  For more information, please email Beth Hamilton at bhamilton@centralpafoodbank.org

 

Farmers to Families Food Box Program

The coronavirus pandemic has posed challenges for both farms and food banks. Farms have seen disruption in the food supply chain; and food banks have seen a 50% increase in demand for assistance. A new United States Department of Agriculture program may begin to solve both concerns at the same time.

The “Farmers to Families Food Box Program” will procure fresh produce, dairy products, and meats like chicken and pork from domestic farms and box them to distribute to families in need through regional food banks. The USDA program will procure an estimated $100 million per month in fresh fruits and vegetables, $100 million per month in a variety of dairy products, and $100 million per month in meat products nationwide.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is seeking eligible farms, food producers, food processors, and other food industry businesses to participate in the program.

A Q & A document and the official request for proposal forms are available from the USDA at the following links:

Farms or other food industry businesses that meet the above criteria and are interested in working with Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and the Farmers to Families Food Box program should contact Beth Hamilton, Director of Food Sourcing & Logistics, at: bhamilton@centralpafoodbank.org.  The deadline to apply is Friday, May 1, 2020