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RICHMOND—Virginia's statewide network of food banks and the hundreds of food pantries and feeding programs that depend on them are about to head into their slowest part of the year—and their busiest.
While donations from the public typically decline during the summer, demand for food assistance jumps, especially as public schools close for the summer. Rick Holzbach, food resource manager for the Central Virginia Foodbank, said almost 400,000 Virginia children who receive low-cost or free breakfasts and lunches at school have now lost the opportunity for one or two meals a day. The supply pinch is getting worse this year due to the nation's economic troubles, he added. "So our donors are feeling the pinch as much as anyone," and many are not giving as much as they otherwise might. Food bank officials are hoping Virginia gardeners and farmers can help by sharing any surplus fresh fruit and vegetables they harvest. "Don't throw away that zucchini—don't throw away that tomato—we will find a home for it!" Holzbach said. Members of four county Farm Bureau organizations in central Virginia are already planning to do their part through a Garden Writer's Association program called Plant a Row for the Hungry. Both full-time farmers and hobby gardeners among their members were asked to plant an extra row of vegetables this spring with the intention of donating the produce. Last year, Farm Bureau members in Chesterfield and Prince George counties donated 3,285 pounds of food to the Central Virginia Foodbank. This year, members in those two Farm Bureaus, as well as Farm Bureau members in Goochland and Halifax counties are participating. In addition to planting extra crops, producers are urged to offer more gleaning opportunities and donations. The two new county Farm Bureaus "have more producers, and the benefit of giving goes both ways when producers have surpluses that would otherwise go to waste," said Valerie Davis, sales support analyst for the Chesterfield County Farm Bureau. Donations of fresh fruits and vegetables are always welcome at any member or partner agency of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, Holzbach said. If it's a small donation, it will be used locally. Large donations will be shared within the statewide food bank network.To find the food bank nearest you, visit www.vafoodbanks.org.
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