CEAP’s Farm Fresh Fest ‘A Showcase of the Best of People’
On Wednesday summertime afternoons, community members in Brooklyn Center gather at the CEAP parking lot to share resources, camaraderie and fresh produce. It’s all a part of CEAP’s “Farm Fresh Fest.”
It doesn’t take long for the parking lot to fill up with volunteers on Wednesday afternoons. Starting at noon, a group rolls up to sort food into bins for distribution later. Oftentimes, they’re corporate groups, like Jack Pitney and his coworkers from Mains’l. He said he has two favorite parts of the job.
“Collaborating with each other in different departments we don’t normally get to see and providing to the community around,” Pitney said.
“Farm Fresh Fest” provides neighbors with a wealth of fresh produce. Pitney said the fresh element is important, especially for families reliant on food shelves.
CEAP volunteers package and load bins full of fresh produce. Some of this week’s offerings include potatoes, watermelon and onions.
“A lot of times, you get more canned foods or nonperishables that aren’t as healthy or as fresh as the fresh produce they give,” Pitney said.
CEAP’s Kalleah Kennedy said they serve a diverse population, but fresh produce is a universal language. And for the most part, there’s no limit to what they can take.
“We are reaching about 250 individuals,” Kennedy said. “That’s actually reaching about 1,300 people once they bring that produce back to their families.”
With that sheer volume, it takes a village — like Pitney and his coworkers — to put the event on. From picking up produce to preparing it for the highest need in more than 50 years.
Fortunately, the neighbors rise to the occasion.
“This is really a showcase of the best of people. It’s the best of produce, it’s the best of community, it’s the best of neighbors helping neighbors,” Kennedy said.
Supporting a Community
Just a few hours after the prep, the market will fill up with more volunteers and more neighbors seeking fresh produce at no cost to them.
Kennedy said there’s nothing quite like this event.
“It’s a reminder that there’s good. It’s a reminder that there’s connection, and a safety net. And that you are not alone,” Kennedy said.
Farm Fresh Fest runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Wednesday until the end of August. Anyone is welcome. The festival also offers community resource stations, including a resource from North Memorial.
If you’d like to donate or volunteer, CEAP’s website has more details. Those in need can learn more about the food market on CEAP’s homepage.
