By Gary Joiner
TFB Radio Network Manager
Texas produce growers are helping the state’s food banks by providing crops that otherwise may not be commercially marketable.
It’s part of a food rescue program.
“We work directly with farmers to essentially rescue produce they can’t sell, whether it’s not the right shape, size or color, but perfectly edible. But there’s no market for it,” said Celia Cole, chief executive officer of Feeding Texas, in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “We take that off their hands and provide them a small subsidy to cover their costs. And then we work to get that nutritious food to our neighbors in need.”
Cole said about one in six Texas households is facing some type of food insecurity.
She said Feeding Texas, formerly known as the Texas Food Bank Network, can connect a Texas produce farmer with the closest food bank to help them figure out a way to get the produce out of their fields or out of their sheds to hungry families in their area.
“We look for as wide a mix as we can because, obviously, you’re supposed to eat the colors of the rainbow. So, we really want the greatest variety we can find and the freshest produce that we can get,” Cole said.
She added that there is some state funding available to help transport produce from the two main produce-growing areas of Texas to other regions of the state. Cole hopes Congress will consider a transportation subsidy in the next farm bill to help the food rescue program get more produce delivered across the state.
Produce growers can reach Feeding Texas for more information by contacting Cole at ccole@feedingtexas.org or by calling 512-527-3624.