On New Year’s Eve, All Faiths Food Bank announced a $30,000 “Midnight Match” challenge after an anonymous donor made the funds available for its Sprout Mobile Farm Market program. People were asked to join the Food Bank in a resolution they could keep – to provide healthy food to our neighbors in need. In a matter of hours, the match was met. The funds will help purchase produce when necessary and increase its service capacity as the demand for food in general increases.  “Sprout” is a custom-made, 24-foot refrigerated truck that brings fresh fruit and vegetables to neighbors in need throughout Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. The first program of its kind in the area, and one of just a handful in the nation, the Sprout Route has distributed more than 300,000 pounds of produce since its first stop in January of 2014. During harvest seasons, produce is donated by local grocers, gleaners and farmers, and All Faiths Food Bank purchases just 25 percent of the produce. Other times of the year, the ratio varies depending on availability. Recently, All Faiths Food Bank purchased 75 percent of the produce on board.

All Faiths Food Bank