By Blake Jackson
A local farm in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, has partnered with a nonprofit organization called the Food Dignity Movement to provide fresh produce to community organizations and a pay-what-you-can produce stand.
The Burger Farm, a five-generation family operation, has been selling its produce at its market in Butler Township since April. This year, the farm began selling to Food Dignity, which distributes the food to about 20 community organizations in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Food Dignity's director of food equity, Amanda Gordineer, said the organization aims to support small businesses, reduce food waste, and improve access to healthy food options.
"By putting the food where they're going already, we cut down that worry of having to go to a food pantry during a certain hour, get transportation there and get transportation home," Gordineer said.
The organization recently received a $36,000 award from Giant Food Stores to support its distribution program.
Danny Gomez, a seasonal worker at Burger Farm, said he is happy to be a part of the effort to provide fresh produce to the community.
"We're happy because we're planting and we're cutting vegetables, but we know that it's going to somebody that's gonna enjoy it," Gomez said. "We can't believe we do all this... They eat it, you know, thanks to us."
The partnership between Burger Farm and Food Dignity is a great example of how local businesses and organizations can work together to address food insecurity and provide healthy food options to everyone in the community.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc
Categories: Pennsylvania, General