Local Nonprofit
Supplies Fresh
Produce to
Neighbor s in Need
B Y R E N E E B R I N C K S
M
onterey County's largest industry is
agriculture. Much of America's produce
originates from the Salinas Valley, a region
dubbed the "Salad Bowl of the World."
Despite that abundance, some households
face food shortages.
"One in five Monterey County citizens uses a
food bank or food provider," says Alicia Cask,
acting executive director of Ag Against Hunger.
Since 1990, the Salinas-based nonprofit
founded by local farmer Tim Driscoll, Willy
Elliott-McCrea of Santa Cruz's Second Harvest
Food Bank and Jess Brown of the Santa Cruz
County Farm Bureau has distributed more
than 275 million pounds of produce through
food banks, youth programs, senior groups and
other par tners.
Each month, Ag Against Hunger sends one to
two million pounds of food to organizations in
Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.
Occasionally, donations reach recipients across
California and the western United States, as well.
Volunteers glean some of the food from local
fields. Area growers and processors also donate
produce that they can't sell due to market
demand, cosmetic matters or shelf-life restrictions.
"We take produce that would normally be
dumped or disked under and provide fresh fruit
and vegetables that families would not other-
wise get," says Cask. "This is the ag community
giving back."
To volunteer with, donate to, or learn more about
Ag Against Hunger, visit www.agagainsthunger.org.
SHORTCUTS
GIVING BACK
Alicia Cask, acting executive director of Ag Against Hunger, says that 1-2 million
pounds of food are sent monthly to feed the hungry.
72 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 8
Photo:
Kelli
Uldall
