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Community Corner

"The Farm" Donates Produce Grown at the State Fair to Local Food Banks

The CA State Fair donates produce grown at The Farm exhibit to local food banks, giving more than 8,300 lbs. of produce to Sacramento people in need since 2012.

 The California State Fair has partnered with SaveMart to contribute in providing healthy food for Sacramento area families in need, while giving fairgoers a chance to get an up close look at how food grows.

 The Farm, a three-acre facility at the State Fair, has produced over 8,360 pounds of fresh produce since partnering with Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) in 2012.

 The exhibit is growing 17 different crops, representing the vast commercial agriculture production that California has. Crops include grapes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, squash, watermelon, sunflowers, corn and more.

 SFBFS, founded in 1976, is a local non-profit organization, serving families and individuals in need. Over time, SFBFS expanded to meet growing needs and now offers six diverse programs at three facilities in Sacramento, including a garden where volunteers teach families how to grow some of their own food.

 “We teach families how to become sufficient by involving them in the gardening process,” says Kelly Siefkin, SFBFS Communications Director, “It is so incredibly valuable that people learn where food comes from, in order to understand the value of nutrition. It makes me really proud that we are able to help make those connections.”

 Siefkin explained that there was a major shift in the food bank philosophy about five years ago, changing from just providing food to encouraging good health and nutrition. Now, a staff of 40 employees and several thousand volunteers serve approximately 23,000 men, women and children in the Sacramento area, free each month.

 The emphasis on nutrition is evident in the farmer’s market style food distributions, where families receive 60% of their 40-50lb. food boxes in the form of locally grown, fresh produce.

 Because of partnerships with local businesses and programs such as The Farm at the fair, every $1 donated turns into $10 worth of goods and services returned to the community.

 See all of the crops in The Farm at the California State Fair, and check out how their Certified Farmer’s Market of California produce grows. For schedules and more information visit BigFun.org

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