49 million americans are food insecure according to the us department of agriculture
TRANSCRIPT
Gary Oppenheimer
AmpleHarvest.org FounderMaster Gardener
Rutgers Environmental StewardCNN Hero
49 million Americans are food insecure according to the US Department of Agriculture.
49 million Americans are food insecure according to the US Department of Agriculture equaling the population of these 23 states added together
49 million Americans are food insecure according to the US Department of Agriculture equaling the population of these 23 states added together From: Nicole C
To: [email protected]: Question?
Hello I am currently unemployed I have one child and one on the way and even though my husband is working we are having a really hard time making ends meat. Are there any requirements to be able to go to a food pantry to get food for my family or can anyone in need go.
Thank you
49 million Americans are food insecure according to the US Department of Agriculture equaling the population of these 23 states added together
From: natalie aTo: [email protected]:
to whom it may concern i live in middleburg heights ohio i have lost my job last jan and am unable to put food in my fridge i am at my wits end trying to get a job is there any where to get food asisantance around my area
49 million Americans are food insecure according to the US Department of Agriculture equaling the population of these 23 states added together
From: Leslie C To: [email protected]: Please Help....
Please help us, both of us are not working and I am expecting to have neck surgery within the month. So my Disability is taking longer than it should. so im scared & very frustrated and everyone depends on me to feed them.
49 million Americans are food insecure according to the US Department of Agriculture equaling the population of these 23 states added together
Recently released USDA statistics show that one out of every four children under six years old in America is now living in a food insecure home.
49 million Americans are food insecure according to the US Department of Agriculture equaling the population of these states:
40+ million Americans grow vegetables, fruit and herbs in their home gardens, often more than they can use, preserve or give away.
49 million Americans are food insecure according to the US Department of Agriculture equaling the population of these 23 states added together
40+ million Americans grow vegetables, fruit and herbs in their home gardens, often more than they can use, preserve or give away.
From: B, Jean To: [email protected]: No pantry with 20 miles
I have beans, tomatoes, squash, beets, broccoli, herbs. . .
West Haven, CT
49 million Americans are food insecure according to the US Department of Agriculture equaling the population of these 23 states added together
40+ million Americans grow vegetables, fruit and herbs in their home gardens, often more than they can use, preserve or give away.
From: Lisa Subject: Hi Hi I live in Chatham NY.
I had some wonderful extra vegetable produce from my vegetable garden this year, and instead of giving it to my friends (who can afford to buy vegetables), I would like to switch to giving it to my local food pantries instead.
Lisa J
The problem is not so much that we lack food – we don’t.
The big problem is that we waste what we have.
Gardeners across America often grow far more food than they can use - often leaving the excess to rot in the garden.
This wasted food is a missed opportunity for AmericaRescuing this food is a major opportunity for America
Current Food Assistance Model
America has more than 200 food banks nationwide.
Most belong to a network operated by Feeding America which distributes food and funding to the food banks.
These warehouse operations ship canned and boxed foods to.....
...30,000+ food pantries across America where most people in need get the food. Usually small operations in houses of worship, civic buildings etc.
Deliveries are weekly or bi-weekly – A schedule that does not work for fresh produce in most cases
Example of the flow of locally donated food... Feeding
America
Feeding America
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food bank
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food Bank
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Regional Food Bank
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Feeding America
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food bank
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food Bank
Local Food Drive
Local Food Drive
Local Food Drive
Local Food Drive
Regional Food Bank
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Regional Food Bank
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Delivery time measuredin days or weeks...
Regional Food Bank
Local Food Drive
Local Food Drive
Local Food Drive
Local Food Drive
Can’t be accepted because of the long delivery cycle
Delivery time measuredin days or weeks...
Local Food Pantry
Local Garden Produce
Local Food
Pantry
Local Food
Pantry
Local Food
Pantry
?
Local Food
Pantry
Local Food
Pantry
Local Food
Pantry
Local Garden Produce
??
?
Local Food
Pantry
Local Food
Pantry
Local Food
Pantry
Local Garden Produce
Regional Food Bank
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Feeding America
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food bank
Regional Food Bank
Local Food Drive
Local Food Drive
Local Garden Produce
Local Garden Produce
This is a new supply chain in our food system
Local Garden Produce
Regional Food Bank
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Local Food Pantry
Feeding America
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food Bank
Regional Food bank
Regional Food Bank
Local Garden Produce
Local Food Drive
Local Food Drive
Local Garden Produce Food pantry
clients can now get locally grown fresh produce
One out of six Americans needs food assistance, but can't get fresh produce from the local food pantry.
Millions of American homeowners grow more food in their backyard gardens than they can possibly use.
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way....
The AmpleHarvest.org Campaign diminishes hunger in America by enabling backyard gardeners to share their excess garden produce with neighborhood food pantries.
www.AmpleHarvest.org 1. Work started March 20092. Built and extensively tested in only 7 weeks - launched May 18, 20093. Nearly 3,000 food pantries (almost one out of every ten in America)
registered nationwide to-date
Extensive press & media coverage(actual listing several pages long)
Lots of positive comments and feedback
Promoted using social networking such as Twitter
and Facebook
Nearly 3,000 or almost 1 out of every 10 food pantries across America are now registered on AmpleHarvest.org
Adding a food pantry is very simple.
Important Notes:
• A food pantry does not need an Internet connection
• A food pantry does not need more refrigeration.
• It is free!
Adding a food pantry is very simple.
Click here to start
They simply fill in the pantries information
Food pantries are encouraged to distribute a press release to the local print and electronic media.
A sample is provided for their use.
Food pantries are also encouraged to print this flier from the web site and ask people to distribute it to garden shops, nurseries, to further help inform local gardeners.
Ok... You are a gardener and have excess produce to share with people in your community.
Here is what happens.....
What gardeners will be doing......
They click here...
The“Find A Pantry” page
Gardeners home location
How far the gardener is willing to travel
Listing of pantries sorted by distance
Example of a typical food pantry listing
Address
Contact info
Donation times Details on store
bought items most needed
Driving directions from the gardener’s home to the pantry
Free iPhone app for AmpleHarvest.org
AmpleHarvest.orgenhancements
Moving Forward...(completed)
Android app now in development
Nationwide Gleaning DirectoryBasic information about “exotic” garden produce
AmpleHarvest.orgenhancements
Moving Forward...(in development)
At the request of United Way, a special page was added to direct those who come to the site needing assistance to the United Way/2-1-1resources specific to their state
AmpleHarvest.orgenhancements
Moving Forward...(completed)
Information on the United Way 2-1-1 Network
United Way web site for each of the 50 states
5/18/09 – AmpleHarvest.org announced to the public.
8/09 – received backing from National Gardening Assoc
10/09 – 1,000th registered food pantry
12/09 – Collaboration with United Way
1/10 – release of our iPhone app
2/10 – partner to USDA Peoples Garden Initiative
5/10 – highlighted on CNN Heroes
8/10 – highlighted at United We Serve government web site
8/10 – identified as a tool by the EPA to fight environmental problem from food waste
...and support from organizations/agencies such as
Google, Inc.US Dept of AgricultureGood People FundDavid Burton Jacobson FoundationVHF FoundationInfinity Auto InsuranceFeeding AmericaSustainable West MilfordFahy Choi LLC... and individual donors across America
Thank you to......
These are difficult economic times for many people.
The AmpleHarvest.org campaign enables anyone to help their neighbors in need by reaching into their backyards instead of their back pockets.
Thank you
Gary Oppenheimer973-409-4093
AmpleHarvest.org FounderMaster Gardener
Rutgers Environmental StewardCNN Hero