Black Horse Farms partners with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New
Monday, June 28th, 2010
Black Horse Farms owner Lloyd Zimmermann has donated fresh produce to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York for several years. As he started planning for this season, he reached out to the Food Bank to discuss how he could do more to help meet the 25% increase in need the Food Bank is experiencing. He determined he would add a step to his daily sorting and packaging operations to ensure that good produce that does not meet the aesthetic grade necessary for sale is donated to the Food Bank at its freshest state.
Black Horse Farms plants more than 30 crops on over 800 acres, including summer and winter squash, peppers, cucumbers and watermelons. The farm sets very high standards for the produce it sells to its customers, which include individuals its farm market locations, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants. The produce donated to the Food Bank will have some cosmetic flaws that make it less marketable, but it is still wholesome to eat. Because it will be sorted right after harvesting and promptly picked up, it will be consistently among the freshest produce donations the Food Bank receives.
“Donated produce we receive from local farms is the freshest, most nutritious we have to offer to the 1,000 agencies we serve, said Joanne Dwyer, Director of Food Sourcing and Business Development Representative for the Food Bank. “This program will be unique in that Mr. Zimmermann has made an unprecedented commitment to integrate sorting out produce that can be donated to the Food Bank as a function within his daily operations for all of the items he grows. We receive a great deal of support from farms, but this is truly an innovative, comprehensive approach. We are grateful to the Zimmermann family for setting a new standard for donations from the farming community and are hopeful their efforts will inspire others.”
Mr. Zimmermann said, “Our family and staff work hard to grow and harvest our produce and don’t want to see any of it go to waste. The produce we’re donating will have great flavor and be in good condition because it will go straight to the Food Bank as soon it is sorted. When I learned that in 2009 the Food Bank provided food to over 244,000 people in the 23 counties it serves, I wanted to step up our efforts and do as much as possible to help feed hungry New Yorkers.”
Black Horse Farms is an 800-acre family owned and operated farm located in Coxsackie, New York. Lloyd Zimmermann, owner of Black Horse Farms, graduated from the University of Vermont, and has devoted his career to agriculture. Lloyd, his wife Mary Lou, and daughters Chellie and Lisa are dedicated to the production of high quality fresh produce, sorted and packed right on the home farm. Look for the Black Horse label in your local grocery stores and visit the Black Horse markets located on 9W in Athens, the New Baltimore Service Area, and at the Capital District Farmers’ Market in Menands. For more information, please see www.blackhorsefarms.com
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, a member of the Feeding America network, provides food to over 1,000 non-profit programs including food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in its 23 county service area of northeastern New York State. In 2009, the Food Bank distributed over 22 million pounds of food and grocery items. The Regional Food Bank is located in Latham, New York. For more information, please see www.regionalfoodbank.net
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