(June 10, 2020) — The Feed Evansville Task Force will distribute thousands of free fresh food boxes throughout the month of June.
Feed Evansville is partnering with the Evansville Rescue Mission, Gleaner Food Bank of Indiana, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for their Farmers to Families Food Box program.
“As we continue to reopen our community, we recognize some residents are still facing extreme hardships,” said Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. “These food boxes will provide critical support to maintain our community’s food security.”
The local task force will distribute 1,500 Diary Boxes and 1,500 Produce Boxes to local nonprofits each week. The nonprofits will then hand out the boxes to clients and guests.
“Feed Evansville is proud to be part of this wonderful program,” said task force organizer Lisa Vaughn. “I’m appreciative of all participating community partners who are helping ensure Evansville residents have fresh and nutritious food.”
Evansville Cold Storage, P & L Logistics, Old National Event Plaza, and CRS One Source will aid in supplying cold storage when the boxes arrive.
Here’s what’s inside each family-sized box:
Dairy Boxes
- French Onion Dip
- Sour cream
- 8oz. cream cheese
- 24oz. cottage cheese
- (2) 14oz Chocolate milk
- (2) 14oz Strawberry milk
- (2) A gallon of 2% milk
Produce Boxes
Variety Menu: potatoes, onions, celery, oranges, apples, carrots (see attached picture)
More about the program:
On April 17, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the program as part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program developed to help farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency.
Through this program, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is partnering with national, regional and local suppliers, whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other foodservice businesses, to purchase up to $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat products. The program will purchase $461 million in fresh fruits and vegetables, $317 million in a variety of dairy products, $258 million in meat products, and $175 million in a combination box of fresh produce, dairy or meat products. Suppliers will package these products into family-sized boxes, then transport them to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need from May 15 through June 30, 2020.
AMS may elect to extend the period of performance of the contracts, via option periods, dependent upon program success and available remaining funds, up to $3 billion.
Additional information on the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, including webinars and FAQs, is available on the AMS website at www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box.
