Field to Foodbank

In 2011 a partnership among agricultural producers, the University of Wisconsin and Second Harvest Foodbank was created to find ways to increase fresh and processed vegetable distribution to those facing hunger. Since its inception the Field to Foodbank program has provided more than 1.5 million pounds of nutritious potatoes, onions, carrots, corn and apples to people in southwestern Wisconsin who struggle with hunger.

 

Field to Foodbank is a three-prong program designed to capture produce grown in Wisconsin for distribution to those facing hunger. It includes:

• Annual Pack: For the first time ever, food processors will include Second Harvest in their annual pack plans. That is, the Foodbank forecasts anticipated purchased product needs for the next year, and we purchase, at a set price, first-grade canned vegetables.
• Fresh Produce Left Behind: Annually, whether it’s blemished, under-sized or the crop yield was larger than anticipated, fresh produce perfectly good for human consumption does not make it to the
marketplace. Second Harvest will work with growers to donate this produce.
• Grow to Donate: Second Harvest is securing commitments from growers to plant, tend and harvest acres for donation to the Foodbank. 

 

To learn about participating in the Field to Foodbank program, contact Jim Scheuerman at 608-216-7221. For an overview of the program, watch the following video: