Sharing the Bounty

Last year a popular national food magazine wrote an article about shopping at farmers markets that made my blood boil. The author suggested savvy shoppers go at the end of market to get great deals because farmers didn’t want to lug home unsold produce. Immediately I was at my computer and on the phone to both the writer and editor schooling them on what happens to much of the leftover produce and other perishable items unsold at the close of Central Farm Markets as well as just about every farmers market in which I’ve ever been involved over the last twenty years.It is donated to people in need.For six years, Central Farm Markets has worked with Manna Food Center to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to over 32,000 people in Montgomery County. As of last year, vendors provided over 300,000 pounds - that’s 150 tons - of food to be distributed to Manna’s clients.How do we do it?Prior to the close of market, folding crates provided by Manna are distributed to vendors who will have unsold perishable products. At Bethesda, the Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP) graciously stores and delivers crates to vendors.But that’s not the end of it.Once vendors determine how much they will have left, Central Farm Markets purchases their products at wholesale using funds from Manna Food Center provided by grant money from Montgomery County, from market income and from donations made to the market on behalf of Manna Food Center. Shoppers may encounter young volunteers soliciting donations for Manna at the markets. There is also a donation box located at the information tent at each market. This is where the money goes. “It’s a win-win-win,” explained Mitch Berliner who founded Central Farm Markets along with his wife, Debra Moser. The hungry have access to fresh, local, healthy produce, the farmers get paid for their goods and the market patrons’ financial donations go twice as far. “All the donations go toward facilitating the collection of fresh produce,” said Berliner.As the vendors are leaving the market locations, Manna’s truck is pulling in to load up what has been purchased for them. Lots of fresh greens, melons, corn-on-the-cob, and other assorted fruits and vegetables go on the truck. During winter markets when there aren’t as many vendors, the farmers themselves aggregate a donation and one will deliver it to Manna.What is the Manna Food Center?Started in 1983, Manna has been providing numerous services to Montgomery County residents, social service agencies and emergency organizations by distributing collected food. Manna Food Center points out that despite Montgomery County being one of the most affluent in the nation, one in three public school students receive free or discounted lunches. It is not only the working poor who must choose between healthy food and living costs (rent, transportation, etc.), but seniors, people fleeing domestic crises, and disabled residents.As farmers markets have proliferated in Montgomery County, Jackie DeCarlo, Chief Executive Officer of Manna Food Center has seen the contributions of farm-to-food bank programs grow. “We serve over 3,000 people each month. With innovative programs like Community Food Rescue, we are able to increase access to tasty and healthy food. It has created an extra boost for sure,” said DeCarlo. Appreciative to Central Farm Markets for their participation in Manna’s mission, DeCarlo pointed out the intersect between farmers and food banks. “There’s never going to be the possibility of ending hunger without a fair, sustainable food system. If farmers are not successful even those who have ample resources will not have a stable access to food leaving those at-risk being even less able to be contributing members of the community.”How can you help?At the information tents at all Central Farm Markets is a donation box. 100% of money given is used to purchase food from CFM vendors that is directly given to Manna Food Center. For anyone who wants to volunteer, there are numerous opportunities both at the Gaithersburg warehouse and throughout the community. Click here to learn more.At Mosaic Central Farm Market, produce gets donated to Food for Others.