Fresh Produce: A Powerhouse of Nutrition

We live and work in an area rich in agriculture, producing millions of pounds of food every year for the state of North Carolina and the nation. Each year, however, an estimated 44 million lbs. of produce goes unharvested in our area.

One Potato, Two Potato…

How about 1 Million potatoes? Or cabbage!

That’s a lot of food to rescue!

2022 has been an incredible year for the Food Bank of Albemarle for produce distribution. To date this year, they distributed 8 Million lbs. of food across their 15 county service area, including 4 Million lbs. of produce. That means that 50% of their distribution (the first time ever in their 40 year history) was fresh nutritious produce!  Some of the most abundant produce the Food Bank receives is both sweet and white potatoes, cabbage, watermelon, apples, green beans, and corn.  

From the Food Bank of Albemarle, we receive a large portion of produce which allows us to distribute over 15,000 lbs. during our monthly distributions.  

What’s On Your Plate, Today?

According to the USDA’s latest “Dietary Guidelines for Americans1”, Almost 90 percent of the U.S. population does not meet the recommendation for vegetables, and about 80 percent do not meet recommendations for fruit. A balanced diet includes an appropriate mix of foods from the food groups and subgroups, including a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

“Many of us have heard that eating fruits and vegetables helps to decrease our risk of developing heart disease and cancer and this is true,” says Angie Lamberson, Registered Dietitian, and owner of Nutrition Pair, LLC. “However, the latest research is showing us that they provide us with more immediate benefits such as improving our mood, reducing joint pain, and boosting our brain power. One of the easiest ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into our diet is to try to include at least one with each meal and snack. They can be fresh, frozen, canned, or even dried–they’re all beneficial.”

Healthy dietary patterns include a variety of vegetables and fruits from all five vegetable subgroups—dark green; red and orange; beans, peas, and lentils; starchy; and other. These include all fresh, frozen, canned, and dried options in cooked or raw forms, including 100% vegetable juices.

From Farm, to the Food Bank, to GSFP, to the Table!

We are committed to serving our community by providing food assistance to those in need. Our programs include our food pantry, managing the Windsor Farmers Market, Commodity Supplemental Program and the Healthy Opportunities Program which help to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food.