Fast forward to 2011 when the new market was created, complete with a recycling room. “And we thought that was a good place for Philabundance to restart their program,” says Hofman. “But it never seemed to happen until now.” And so a weekly pilot program to rescue landfill-bound produce was born thanks in part to Sonny DiCrecchio, the market’s president and CEO, and his team who are passionate about helping Philadelphians and wanted to reinstitute the program.
How does it work?
Volunteers with Philabundance work with Juan Cortez, the market’s maintenance supervisor, who helps the organization set up tables and trash receptacle bins. “Then they work with some of the more than 22 merchants and wholesalers who think they may have a product that can partially be recovered, such as 20 per cent of a load of onions,” says Hofman. Volunteers then manually sort through the produce to keep what’s good and toss the rest.
“The merchants at the PWPM are a very generous group and want to help people who are hungry,” says Hofman. “If there's a way to send less to the landfill and to send it to help people, they are all for it.” It also helps build the market’s overall support of Philabundance, which supports some 350 local food pantries, and reduces landfill loads. “So it’s a win-win,” says Hofman.
For more information:
Christine Hofmann
Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market
Tel: +1- (215) 336-3003
[email protected]
http://www.pwpm.net/
“The merchants at the PWPM are a very generous group and want to help people who are hungry,” says Hofman. “If there's a way to send less to the landfill and to send it to help people, they are all for it.” It also helps build the market’s overall support of Philabundance, which supports some 350 local food pantries, and reduces landfill loads. “So it’s a win-win,” says Hofman.
For more information:
Christine Hofmann
Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market
Tel: +1- (215) 336-3003
[email protected]
http://www.pwpm.net/
