Partners in Produce Seeking Donations to Provide Fresh Produce
•August 16, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
Partners In Produce, a partnership between Arthur Produce Auction Inc. and the Illinois Extension is seeking financial assistance to continue to provide fresh produce to food pantries in the Extension Unit 19 Area. The Extension Unit 19 Area serves Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, Shelby counties and beyond. The partnership started in 2019, and on auction days throughout the season, Mary Beth Massey, Susan Stollard and others attended the produce auction to receive donations of fresh produce.
According to Massey, from May-October she visits the produce auction where Amish farmers grow vegetables and bring it on Tuesdays and Fridays where people come and buy for farmers markets, grocery stores and other purposes. So far this year 57,432 pounds of produce have been purchased and distributed through the program. Produce is delivered to food pantries, Eastern Illinois Food Bank and Catholic Charities.