ExtraFood, a county-wide nonprofit food rescue program, picks up excess fresh food, 7/365 and free of charge, and immediately gets it to vulnerable children, older adults, and families who need it the most. In seven years, ExtraFood has rescued and delivered 4,500,000 pounds of food to more than 8,000 people throughout Marin. Plus, every 100 pounds of food rescued prevents the equivalent emissions of 234 driving miles! These efforts address the critical issues of hunger, wasted food and climate change.
The COVID-19 pandemic means stocking up on groceries and more meals at home. However, more food preparation at home could also mean more food waste! The Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition (BayROC) has responded to this with renewed promotion of their food waste prevention campaign. You may see these ads all over the Bay Area in the coming weeks. Messages include:
While schools are closed, a new veggie box program from the San Pedro School Farm feeds families.
Marin schools are shut down, and so are school lunch programs. But fresh vegetables from the San Pedro School Farm that used to go to school kitchens are still helping Marin families get the wholesome nutrition they need. That’s thanks to a new program by nonprofit Sanzuma, which manages the farm and is now selling boxes filled with freshly harvested organic produce to Marin residents on a subscription basis. The income will enable Sanzuma to continue their core mission of teaching nutrition classes and helping schools grow their own fresh produce once schools reopen.
“In normal times our healthy greens would feed hundreds of students each week, and we know families out there need it,” says Sanzuma’s Executive Director Lori Davis. “This box program is a great alternative to shopping in grocery stores, and is our way to continue to feed our community. Besides, it would be a shame for all these wonderful veggies to go to waste.”
Sanzuma‘s commitment to zero waste extends to packaging as well. Each week’s produce delivery arrives at the pickup location in durable, reusable plastic totes. After customers transfer the contents into their own bags or boxes, the totes go back to Sanzuma to be thoroughly washed and sanitized before the they’re filled again.
Zero Waste Marin supports Sanzuma’s work in low income schools, including nutrition education, school farms and meal programs.
Like most Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, Sanzuma’s boxes contain a mix of whatever produce is currently in season, but with a twist: an occasional wellness gift, like hand-made soaps, teas and flowers. “During this tough time, we need healthy food, but we need something for the soul as well,” says Davis. In addition, one box is donated to a family in need every other week.
The program has already been a huge success, with all subscription slots filled for now. Sanzuma is already thinking about how to scale up and plans to keep the veggie boxes going even when school deliveries are possible again. To get on the waiting list and to learn more about Sanzuma’s work with Marin schools, visit www.sanzuma.org.
Know of a business or school with extra food? 
