Island Harvest and Stop & Shop Partner for Agriculture Program

People struggling with food insecurity often face chronic health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and other adverse conditions, according to Randi Shubin Dresner, president & CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank, a leading Long Island human services organization.

Thanks to a generous $60,000 grant from Stop & Shop, a new and unique variation on the concept of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program enables Island Harvest to purchase healthy, fresh, locally grown produce from local farmers and, in turn, distribute it to families struggling to put food on their tables.

Typically, CSAs are a community of individuals who support farm operations so that the farmland becomes the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of growing food.

Under the program, unlike expecting needy families and individuals to pay for “shares” in the CSA program, Stop & Shop is sponsoring the participants, thus allowing them to have access to a program typically enjoyed by people who are financially able to become involved in a CSA. Participants will receive “CSA shares,” giving them access to four to six items of rotating healthy produce items in their “share” based on seasonal availability, something many of our neighbors in need seldom have easy access to. People in the program will pick up their produce at a location in their community every other week for 20 weeks. At the end of the program, recipients will receive a $50 Stop & Shop gift card. As part of the new initiative, and in keeping with the healthy food direction of the food bank and Stop & Shop, Island Harvest’s registered dietician will provide guidance on preparing fresh vegetables, interpreting nutrition labels, and shopping for healthy food on a budget.

The CSA program will support approximately 180 families in Brentwood and Central Islip. Information about the initiative can be obtained at the Brentwood Public Library at 631-273-7883, the Central Islip Library at 631-234-9333, or Island Harvest 631-873-4775.

The region’s agricultural industry, among the largest in New York state, has been plagued by increased costs for fuel and other essential products, global supply chain issues, and labor shortages. “The CSA program not only addresses the persistent issue of hunger and food insecurity on Long Island, but creates a new and consistent market opportunity for the region’s farmers,” said Ms. Shubin Dresner. “Helping food insecure people access more nutritious fruits and vegetables while providing an economic boost to Long Island’s farmers is a win-win situation. We are extremely grateful to our long-time partner, Stop & Shop, for their generous support of this initiative.”

“Stop & Shop is honored to work with Island Harvest Food Bank to create the Community Supported Agriculture program, which will provide Long Island families with fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Stop & Shop spokesperson Stefanie Shuman. “Stop & Shop customers turn to us for high-quality, local produce to feed their families, and we’re proud to enable Island Harvest to provide the same nutritious items to Long Island families in need of assistance.”