Food-insecure households across Dane County have increased access to free fruits and vegetables, thanks to a recent grant The River received from the Inland Empire Community Foundation.

With this funding, The River is purchasing more fresh produce than ever before for all of our programs to help our community eat healthier.

An additional 10 pounds of produce is available for households to choose from to take home with their weekly groceries. In addition, our meal programs, FAM and Munch, include at least one extra piece of produce.

We will also soon be providing educational cards with details on preparation, storage, and recipes for specific fruits and vegetables.

From papayas and mangoes to cabbage and bok choy, there is a wide variety of high-quality fruits and vegetables to choose from.

“I do feel my daily energy has improved. My husband’s blood sugar levels have also gone down,” said The River’s client, Brandilyn. “So all the hard work from The River Food Pantry is truly paying off for the community.”

We do our best to shop from Dane County farmers to help support the local economy.

Thanks to our amazing volunteer, Karen Houdek, The River’s garden is growing vegetables and herbs, which are used in our meals.

We will happily accept your fresh garden donations for local families to enjoy!