The Fresno Rescue Mission was supplying 800 – 1,000 meals a day to the needy prior to the current crisis. Now that need is increasing daily. The Mission feeds the homeless, at risk families and senior shut-ins. The Mission’s need for fresh produce donations has gone up exponentially.
In compliance with city and state guidelines, the Mission has had to discontinue meals in their cafeteria but are instead distributing hot meal boxes to the public daily for dinner. As the Mission’s inventory allows, groceries are also distributed to families in addition to the hot meals.
Right: Member of the Mission kitchen staff prepping peppers.
The Fresno Rescue Mission will continue to be a resource for the homeless community, families and individuals seeking help, food and shelter, however, the increased need has put a severe strain on the Mission’s regular resources. Being located in the center of the San Joaquin Valley, the Mission is reaching out to grower/shippers and processors in hopes of increasing product donations to cover the severely increased need.
Produce industry and Valley businesses are starting to step up to help provide transportation and product for the Mission: Sunkist growers has donated citrus, Progressive Produce donated potatoes, SMP Construction hauled product and San Joaquin Tractor supplied equipment.
Donated food items may be sent to the Mission’s facility at 263 G Street, Fresno, CA or please use contact information below to arrange pick up.
Mushroom burgers and bowls to medical staff
The Mushroom Council is supporting B.GOOD restaurants to deliver thousands of free burgers and veggie bowls to medical professionals at hospitals and other medical care facilities throughout the Boston area.
Deliveries began last week when B.GOOD provided approximately 350 free meals to employees at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital. It expects to deliver 700 more this week, and additional meals throughout the month.
B.GOOD, the fast-casual chain based in Boston, has partnered with Mushroom Council in the past with the fall 2019 introduction of B.GOOD’s Turkey Medley mushroom blended burger. As a continuation of this collaboration, Mushroom Council provided a financial contribution for B.GOOD to prep and deliver the turkey burgers and Sunny Side Harvest bowl with mushrooms to these and other medical professionals. DoorDash is providing deliveries and waiving all related fees.
“We have never felt more of a calling to live up to our company name, and we are grateful for the support from the Mushroom Council to provide this food for our local heroes,” said Lizzy Jenkins, Director of Marketing, B.GOOD. “Mushrooms are not a super food, but a hero food for the first responders in our area.”
Specialty produce donated to Louisiana hospitals
Southern Specialties, Inc. in partnership with Rouses Markets, announced the donation of several thousand pounds of specialty produce — including heirloom tomatoes, white asparagus and yellow beefsteak tomatoes — to three hospitals that are serving Louisianians in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. Distributions to Touro Infirmary, University Medical Center and Ochsner Hospital were organized through Capital City Produce of Baton Rouge.
The donation helps feed hospital staffs, working around the clock during this pandemic, and their families. “We wanted to do something for the frontline folks who have been working literally nonstop, and may not be able to get to Rouses Markets for fresh options,” said Charlie Eagle, VP of business development for Southern Specialties “The Rouses team proved to be an ideal partner in facilitating these donations.”
Touro and UMC leaders created mini Farmer’s Markets and coordinated with their staffs to get free sacks of fresh vegetables, while Ochsner's executive chef Marc Gilberti used the donation to prepare a free, healthy meal for the hospital’s busy team.
Rouses Markets and Southern Specialties have been partners for nearly a decade. Capital City Produce delivers to Rouses Markets all over the Gulf Coast.
For more information:
Patrinka Crammond
Tel: +1 (928) 710-8301
Email: patrinka@brillanteinc.com
www.fresnorm.org
The Mushroom Council
Tel: +1 (650) 632-4250
Email: info@mushroomcouncil.com
www.mushroomcouncil.com
Charlie Eagle
Southern Specialties
Tel: +1 (404) 949-0944
Email:ceagle@southspec.com
www.southernspecialties.com