New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger: On the road against hunger for 20 years

New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger, a program of the New Jersey Agricultural Society, is celebrating its 20th year of collecting surplus fresh fruits and vegetables from farms, wholesalers and grocery stores for distribution to New Jersey residents in need.

As part of the 20th anniversary, FAH will be hosting a campaign to support the purchase of a replacement truck for their program. Annually, FAH recovers 1.4 million pounds of surplus produce, reducing food waste and providing a healthy, nutritious source of food for New Jersey residents in need who are struggling with food insecurity and malnutrition.

FAH delivers weekly to four main sites in Browns Mills, Camden, Trenton and Mt. Holly, and also partners with churches, senior centers, food banks and pantries statewide to distribute fresh produce efficiently. The fresh produce is usually harvested that day and delivered free of charge to the more than 75 organizations receiving it.

Thousands of community volunteers contribute to the mission by helping to glean, or harvest, at local farms, helping to serve an average of 7,500 people weekly.

Hlubik Farms in Chesterfield, NJ, will be hosting its annual Dinner on the Farm on Sept. 18 to benefit Farmers Against Hunger; and the Burlington County Tour De Farms, to be held on Sept. 10, will donate a portion of every registration to Farmers Against Hunger.

FAH will also be leading a variety of activities and events during the last week in September as part of the first New Jersey Gleaning Week & Farmers Against Hunger Day, which was passed by the New Jersey Legislature this year. FAH continues to seek new produce donors and volunteers as well. To donate or volunteer, visit www.njagsociety.org.