April 27, 2020 – LAst Wednesday, BriarPatch Food Co-op donated 368 pounds of fresh organic produce valued at $330 to Oroville-based North State Food Bank (NSFB) for distribution to people living in Northern California impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We serve roughly 6,700 individuals or 3,000 households monthly. We have 45 sites we deliver to and we serve five counties in the North Sate which include Butte, Colusa, Plumas, Glenn and Sierra,” said Program Manager Lee Wells.
Currently the Food Bank does not have enough food to meet demand.
“We are seeing approximately double the demand that was experienced after the Camp Fire,” said Wells.
The Co-op’s Produce Department gathered a pallet heaped with boxes and bags of yellow onions, celery, carrots, gold potatoes, fuji apples and Murcott mandarins that will be distributed directly to households in need, supplementing emergency food the Food Bank is already providing.
“Fresh organic produce is vital, as most of our available resources are shelf-stable items. Quality produce, such as the offering from BriarPatch is important because those in need deserve to have wholesome, healthy food,” said Wells.
In neighboring Sierra County, NSFB delivers monthly to rural mountain communities of Alleghany, Pike and Downieville. The extra food they are sending during the pandemic has become a vital lifeline.
“These communities are remote and somewhat isolated from the services readily available to households in the more populated areas,” said Wells.
If people wish to help, they can make food or monetary donations or become a volunteer.
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BriarPatch Food Co-op is a community-owned cooperative business. We provide our community with quality food and products, strengthen our local economy, and support local/regional businesses that are committed to regenerative agriculture, sustainability, humane practices, and organic farming.