DANVILLE (June 18) – ACTION Health announced today the creation of an important link between local producers and area food banks.

Through direct mail, local producers have been equipped with information that will enable them to more easily donate their excess produce, says ACTION Health, a collaborative partnership that provides community health outreach and education.

“Our volunteers are super-excited about this project,” said Donna Fritz, Outreach Assistant of ACTION Health. “Inviting area farmers to join us in increasing awareness, knowledge, and access to healthy, nutritious foods is an honor. We know it will have a lasting positive impact on our community.”

At the direction of the Healthy Lifestyles Subcommittee, farmers and farmers’ markets were mailed packets containing information about nearby food banks and food pantries. The 20 area food banks and pantries that chose to share their information to producers are hoping to increase both the quantity and quality of the food that they can provide to increasing numbers of clients.

The subcommittee saw an opportunity to link those with excess to those in need, while promoting the positive impact of local agriculture. They noted that, in the past, many producers wanted to donate their excess goods, but were unable to find accurate information about how to do so. The packets distributed this week contain specific information about a food bank’s ability to store and distribute fresh produce, as well as basic contact information.

According to ACTION Health, the next step in the project is to help educate the public about how to store and prepare fresh produce so as to make the most out of it. The subcommittee hopes to equip several area food banks with these tools in the coming months.

“It’s been a lot of work, but this has to be one of the most invigorating projects we’ve done with the committee because it addresses such an immediate and self-evident need,” said Mike Habegger, AmeriCorps Volunteer for ACTION Health. “Growers always have at least a little excess food that they either can’t sell or eat, and I think we’ve provided them with the ability to make sure their hard work they’ve put in doesn’t go to waste.”

For more information, please call ACTION Health at 275-9150.