Feeding America Riverside|San Bernardino (FARSB) is known for our commitment to establishing innovative, convenient, and affordable food distribution programs throughout the Riverside and San Bernardino County communities. With a mission to alleviate hunger in the Inland Empire, one of our most cherished programs is the Kids Produce Market.
The innovative Kids Produce Market program, launched in 2014, helps alleviate child hunger by providing nutritious, healthy fresh food to low-income students and their families one day each month during the school year. At Kids Produce Market day, each family receives an average of 10 to 15 pounds of fresh produce. The students and their families are able to “shop” for what they want, farmer’s market style, creating a friendly, respectful atmosphere. Current school recipients have an 85% or higher Free and Reduced lunch rate; most served are 90% or higher, and are considered incredibly high-need schools.
On January 23, 2019, thanks to a partnership with BoxLunch stores, the Muscoy Elementary School Kids Produce Market offered each student a brand new, sturdy, large, reusable bag to take their fresh produce home in.
Students at elementary schools like Muscoy, often have difficulty obtaining supplies needed to carry home their fresh produce each month, forcing them to carry home boxes, flimsy plastic bags, and sometimes, just their backpacks. These bags helped over 720 students take home oranges, carrots, asparagus, potatoes, celery, and more, and will now allow students to safely take their free produce home each month in a convenient way.
In addition to this gift, with every $10 spent in-store or online, Box Lunch helps provide one meal to a local food bank. Since this partnership began, BoxLunch has helped raise more than 20 million meals for Feeding America—a commitment that is truly appreciated at the local level.
Thank you BoxLunch for your continued support and generosity!