Area Illini Help in Produce Rescue

Twin Cities Illini Club members collected donated fresh produce for use in area food bank initiatives, helping gather over two tons of fruits and vegetables at the Minneapolis Farmers Market.

Twin Cities Illini Club members joined Food Group staff and volunteers to rescue 4,425 pounds of produce from loss at the Minneapolis Farmers Market this August 19. Local Illini with Food Group staff and volunteers weighed and boxed donated sweet corn, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, and other produce gathered from local farmers. Illinois alumni helped pack four pallets with a total of 136 boxes.
 

Produce gathered at the August 19 drive went to support the Food Group’s Fare for All program, an initiative seeking to increase access to fresh produce in communities through Minnesota. The Food Group, a New Hope, MN-based food bank, distributes food to its partner food shelves and hunger relief organizations. The Twin Cities Illini Club have been active volunteers with the organization.
 

Sunday marks the close of the weekend market, and fresh but unpurchased produce can end up discarded by vendors who have no means to store or distribute it.

The Twin Cities Illini Club hosts service events at least four times a year. The club’s fall event is tentatively scheduled for late September.