Roundup No. 4: What companies are doing during the pandemic

Produce and allied industry companies are finding ways to help consumers whose finances have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with donations of produce and resources.

The following companies are just a few that are helping during the crisis.

Bushwick Potato Commission

Bushwick Potato Commission, Farmingdale, N.Y., recently donated about 30,000 pounds of New York potatoes to the Island Harvest Food Bank in Long Island.

“We are grateful to the Bushwick Potato Commission for their incredibly generous donation, which will help people across Long Island struggling to feed their families because of the economic havoc created by the pandemic,” Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of the Island Harvest Food Bank, said in a news release about the April 17 donation.

NY State Assemblyman Steve Stern helped unload the potatoes at the food bank’s Hauppauge Distribution Center.

Bushwick Potato Commission is a fourth-generation family grower of potatoes and other produce.

“Our entire Bushwick family understands the importance of lending a helping hand during this difficult time,” Ken Gray, vice president of sales and marketing, said in the release.

Chiquita Brands International

Chiquita is partnering with Miami Marathon co-founder and running enthusiast Frankie Ruiz to create at-home fitness routines for cooped-up families during the pandemic.

The seven-day workout plan is for all ages, and accessible on Chiquita’s Instagram account. Ruiz will be sharing the fitness tips through IGTV.

“Eating nutritious foods and staying active while following stay at home orders is a great way to maintain overall health during these challenging times,” Ruiz said in a news release. “Plus, exercise is a known stress-reliever and a positive, engaging activity for families to do together.”

Ruiz suggests bananas as a snack before or after the 25-minute workouts.

“During this period of uncertainty, we hope that by providing refreshing distractions and activities such as indoor workouts, we can inspire people to stay mindful of the importance of personal wellness and maintaining healthy habits,” Tina Varjabedian, Chiquita’s marketing Manager for North America.

Organically Grown Co.

Organically Grown Co., Portland, Ore., organized a donation of more than 46,000 pounds of produce from organic growers to five hunger relief agencies.

Organically Grown Co. in early April started Project HOPE (Healthy Organic Produce for Everyone) with 15 vendor-partners, who participated in the donation: Driscoll’s, Deardorff Family Farms, Crespo Organic Mangoes, Covilli Brand Organics, Wholesum, Grimmway Farms, Fruit World Marketing, Bridges Organic Produce, Agri-Star, The Nunes Co. (Foxy Organic), A&A Organic Farms, Jacobs Farm-Del Cabo, Braga Fresh Family Farms, Homegrown Organic Farms and Domex Superfresh Growers.

Organically Grown distributed the produce to Northwest Harvest, Oregon Food Bank, Portland Sunshine Division, Food for Lane County and the Relief Nursery. The company also helped the Oregon Food Bank when it needed to quickly store and transport nearly 100 pallets of empty boxes destined for food boxes.

“We are humbled by and extremely grateful for the outpouring of generosity from our grower-partners, and for the hard work being done by farm workers, foodbanks, grocery store clerks, truck drivers, health care professionals, public servants and many others who are on the front lines every day, keeping us all safe, healthy and nourished,” Kristi Yoder, senior sales manager, said in the release.

Port of Hueneme

The Port of Hueneme (Calif.) has participated in Feeding the Frontline, which feeds the field and packinghouse workers at Ventura County produce companies. The port previously started a “lunch for longshoremen” program, giving vouchers to redeem at local restaurants frequented by the port workers.

“Today, we expanded our support efforts to reach farm workers harvesting produce around our county,” Kristin Decas, CEO and port director, said in a news release. “It’s in these times that we feel fortunate to increase our community efforts and support those on the front lines of the pandemic response.”

Del Monte Fresh Produce, which has a facility at the port, donated more than 10,000 pounds of pineapples and melons, according to the release.

Volunteers in the “frontline” program have organized food trucks to deliver hot meals to the workers, along with boxes and bags of fresh fruits, vegetables and other food. Farms in the Oxnard, Camarillo, Santa Paula have been visited, according to the release.

SweeTango

SweeTango growers from Nova Scotia, New York, Washington and Michigan are donating apples to food banks serving communities hard hit by COVID-19.

“In times of crisis, food offers more than nourishment; it gives comfort. It is our honor to give some small comfort to neighbors who are hurting,” Jennifer Parkhill of Next Big Thing, A Growers’ Cooperative, said in a news release.

Charitable acts include:

Fowler Farms, Wolcott, N.Y., donated more than 100,000 SweeTangos to Foodlink Inc., which supplies food to pantries across the state.
Applewood Fresh Growers, Sparta, Mich., has donated apples to help feed children who don’t have access to school meals due to the crisis, and to Feeding America.
Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, Wash., partnered with Rotary First Harvest to distributed through Northwest Harvest Food Banks.
Scotian Gold, Coldbrook, Nova Scotia, donated apples to Feed Nova Scotia and Open Arms, which supply fresh foods to those in isolation with health risks, and to families now facing food insecurity.

“What better way to give back than by giving one of the healthiest foods available?” Austin Fowler of Fowler Farms, Wolcott, N.Y., said in the release.

To learn about what other companies are doing to help during the crisis, see The Packer's COVID-19 landing page.

Produce industry steps in to help during pandemic

Produce companies help with donations, services during pandemic