Local Non-Profit Seeing Spike In Food Needs, Calling Farmers, Businesses, and Residents
Jarrod Zinn
SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (KEYT) – Veggie Rescue Of Santa Barbara County is calling on the community of farmers, food businesses, and even residents with gardens to help meet an anticipated spike in local food needs.
They’ve already observed significant reductions in food assistance programs such as SNAP.
“Santa Barbara County, over the last few years, has become the second poorest and the second most food insecure county of all counties throughout the state of California,” says Eryn Shugart, Veggie Rescue’s Executive Director. “There’s 58 counties in California, and Santa Barbara County has the second highest rate of food insecurity. And with the recent cuts, food insecurity is growing.”
They’re anticipating another significant surge of hunger county-wide in the face of the ongoing federal government shutdown and the resulting halt in supplement program payouts starting Saturday.
“This is a really concerning time,” says Shugart. “And this weekend there’s going to be further reductions in the SNAP benefits. So we’re really just hoping that community members can be part of the solution.”
In preparation for the sudden growth in need from locals, Veggie Rescue is seeking additional farm and business partners.
“Veggie Rescue has three refrigerated trucks,” says Shugart. “We are on the road, 363 days a year. And so we go to our farm, store, and restaurant donors. We retrieve the produce and other food and we take it then within no more than 24 hours and donate it to nonprofits and other organizations serving hungry community members.”
They’re also looking for what they call “gleaning locations,” properties with fruit trees or gardens where they can send volunteers to harvest any excess produce to share with other local non-profits.
“There’s a lot of people and organizations, nonprofits that focus every day on reducing food waste, and we’re proud to be one of them,” says Terry Delaney, Veggie Rescue’s founder.
Those interested in donating or coordinating gleaning efforts can find Veggie Rescue’s website by clicking here or calling them at (805)350-9154.
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