Amid holiday canned-food drives, U.S. food banks take up farming

[riky]

Amid holiday canned-food drives, U.S. food banks take up farming

<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/amid-holiday-canned-food-drives-u-food-banks-120809501--finance.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/uToItY3GIuHFN5jVjOWpRQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9NzU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-11-24T120809Z_1_CBRE9AN0XPU00_RTROPTP_2_USA-THANKSGIVING-FOODBANK.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Chester County Food Bank agricultural director Bill Shick examines young lettuce plants growing in a hydroponic bed in a greenhouse in suburban Philadelphia" align="left" title="Chester County Food Bank agricultural director Bill Shick examines young lettuce plants growing in a hydroponic bed in a greenhouse in suburban Philadelphia" border="0" /></a>What he can't tell you is what he would sell it for - because it will all be given away by the Chester County Food Bank in its efforts to grow food for the needy. The fresh produce program gives low-sodium, low-sugar foods to the poorest Americans year-round, including during the holiday season often associated with canned-food drives. &quot;We picked a thousand pounds this weekend and we'll do another thousand next week,&quot; Shick, the food bank's agricultural director said, while standing in a greenhouse where the program grows seedlings in a suburban Philadelphia park. Chester County is among about 20 food banks across the country that have started their own farms to boost healthier eating by the needy, said Domenic Vitiello, a University of Pennsylvania professor who has studied food pantry agricultural operations.</p><br clear="all"/>

Source: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login