Representative Doug Broxson with the Florida House of Representatives (District Three) is teaming up with Farm Share, a non-profit organization dedicated to utilizing an abundance of food for distribution towards families in need, for a free food distribution date in East Milton.
Volunteers will distribute supply bags containing fresh produce, canned and dried food items, water, juice, paper products and other essential items to families in need at East Milton Elementary School until supplies last, according to a press release from Broxson’s office.
Rep. Broxson, who plans to volunteer at the event, previously hosted Farm Share distribution events in Tiger Point and assisted Representative Mike Hill with same event in Pensacola.
“It is a very valuable program for people,” Broxson said. “There are usually tons of people that drive or walk in.”
Broxson said East Milton was selected due the high number of free and reduced meals offered to students in area schools.
According to Mary Jane Dunlop, a program specialist with the Food Services department of the Santa Rosa County School District, East Milton Elementary School has 86 percent enrollment in the meal program, which is second behind the Headstart program at T.R Jackson with 99 percent. W. H. Rhodes Elementary School has the third highest percentage at more than 80 percent.
In the future, Broxson plans to further work with Farm Share in scheduling food distribution dates for north Milton and Pace areas.
With the main goal of helping residents in need, the distribution also prevents produce from going to waste. According to the Farm Share website, half of produce crops are rejected in the sorting process. The discolored, misshaped or undersized produce items are taken to a dump, plowed under or sprayed with insecticides instead of being transported to a store.
With this program, farmers can donate the unwanted produce to Farm Share and receive a 200 percent tax credit for their foods market value, the website states.
The supply bags are free to area families in need, who are only required to give their names, addresses and the number of people residing in their household. Distribution will take place at the school’s parent drop off location for students.
Volunteers are still needed to assist with unloading the Farm Share truck along with preparing the supply bags and distributing them. Residents interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Broxson’s office for more information.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Farm Share Food Distribution
WHEN: Begins at 10 a.m. until supplies run out on Saturday, May 16
WHERE: in the south parking lot of East Milton Elementary School, located at 5156 Ward Basin Road in Milton
CONTACT: For more information contact Michelle Tait at Rep. Doug Broxson’s office at 626-3113 or email her at Michelle.Tait@myfloridahouse.gov.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Volunteers needed for East Milton Farm Share