By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – The Omaha Farmers Market wants the extra vegetables from residents' gardens.
This Saturday and Sunday, the Farmers Market is conducting a food drive for Together Inc. Bins will be set up both days for donations of fresh produce.
Omaha Farmers Market spokesman Vic Gutman says fresh fruit and vegetables are always in demand by food pantries. "Many of the pantries get surplus food from grocery stores and supermarkets, but that's usually canned goods, packaged goods," Gutman says. "It's much harder to get and prepare and distribute fresh vegetables."
Gutman says Together Inc. can distribute the fresh produce quickly to people in need. He says it's not uncommon for Farmers Market vendors to donate their surplus food to pantries. This is the first time, however, that the public has been asked to do so.
Donations of non-perishable food items will also be accepted Saturday and Sunday at the Farmers' Markets.