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Local Initiatives Projects...
Grow A RowA project of CIFT and the Toledo Seagate Food Bank that connects food producers willing to donate excess production to participating food banks located in their vicinity. Farm to SchoolA brief history of school lunch programs involving the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Agriculturer. Food Manufacturers in Northwest OhioA list of companies in our own backyard that produce items you see on your grocer's shelf every week. Northwest Ohio Farmers MarketsThe advantages of buying produce and other goods at farmers markets, a list Northwest Ohio farmers markets, and links to other farmers market resources. AgritourismA discussion of agricultural tourism, its potential as another revenue stream for farmers, and guidance on starting an agritourism venture. Farm to ChefThe Northwest Ohio Fresh Network is a free direct-marketing program for buying and selling local fruits, vegetables, and other locally made products to chefs throughout the food service industry while building long-term business relationships.
CIFT Grow A Row Project
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Fresh vegetables are an important part of any diet and should be available to all, including those in need of help at local food pantries throughout Northwest Ohio. Both the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) and the Toledo Seagate Food Bank are proud of the many farmers and producers throughout the area who generously donated their field fresh fruits and vegetables to the hungry to ensure they have had access to these nutritious items.
To date, close to 153,000 pounds of produce have been received by the Toledo Seagate Food Bank. From May until the final days of fall, the farmers have brought great local seasonal produce that will finish off with cabbage, hard shelled squash, potatoes, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
Donations have been from large farms that have had too much product ripen at one time, down to the gardener who dropped off a bushel of fresh cucumbers and a box of ripe muskmelons. Every donation is appreciated; even fresh herbs and dried beans are collected by ambitious cooks at soup kitchens who wait all year for fresh items to come in their door.
Then, of course there are those dedicated volunteers that go out and glean fields. Farmers have excess in the fields and these groups coordinate other volunteers to gather what is left behind. It could be an acre of tomatoes, a patch of blackberries, or carrots left behind by mechanical harvesters. All this is still good and will find its way into many casserole dishes or soup pots in Northwest Ohio.
While many farmers would love to donate, there is always a logistical problem. The Toledo Seagate Food Bank is located in Toledo, and many of these farmers are scattered in over 18 counties. A donation directory provided the name and number for collection sites in close proximity to growers. Many farmers gave to the hungry in their own area, and did not have distribution costs associated with bringing it to Toledo.
Many of the farmers that donate their fresh fruits and vegetables have been doing it for years and receive no accolades for a job well done. This year both CIFT and the Seagate Food Bank have decided to acknowledge all these unsung heroes of the hungry. Thank you for a great job!
If you would like to become a Grow A Row Project food donor or receive more information on the project, please contact Louise Mikesell-Wireman at 419.535.6000, ext.112 or lmikesell-wireman@eisc.org. You may also view and download our Grow A Row brochure.
To obtain additional information on the Toledo Seagate Food Bank and view press coverage of the Grow A Row Project and local gleaning activities, please view the following links.
Gleaned Produce Feeding the Needy - An article by Blade staff writer Kate Giammarise
Volunteers Stepping Up in Local Hunger Projects - An article by The Press writer Larry Limpf
Trip to Edon Results in Tons of Potatoes for Needy - An article by The Press writer J. Patrick Eaken
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CIFT, 5555 Airport Highway,
Ste 100, Toledo, Ohio 43615-7320
419.535.6000 877.668.3472 (toll-free) 419.531.8465 (fax) © 1995 - 2009 EISC, Inc. |
Slow it Down - by Louise Mikesell-Wireman, CIFT Direct Marketing Specialist, for the Toledo City Paper
USDA-FSA Tree Assistance Program - Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters.
The Produce Lady - The Produce Lady, Brenda Sutton, teaches farmers and consumers the wonders of locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Cultivating the Web - High Tech Tools for the Sustainable Food Movement - An Eat Well Guide
Fun Facts: About the Food We Eat - An Agricultural Council of America AG Day Publication
Food Miles: Background and Marketing* - An ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service publication