The coronavirus has been especially hard for farmers around the country. With schools, restaurants, and other institutions closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, farmers have been forced to dump milk and waste fresh produce. Fortunately, there are organizations around like supermarket chain Publix that are stepping up to help struggling farmers while getting the food to Americans who need it most.
Publix has launched an initiative where it will purchase fresh produce and milk from farmers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and donate the goods directly to Feeding America food banks that are in its “operating area.” During the first week of the initiative alone, some 150,000 pounds of produce and 43,500 gallons of milk is expected to be donated, the company said. The company will purchase food from Florida produce farmers and southeastern dairy farmers through the initiative. It is kicking off Wednesday and is “expected to run for several weeks,” according to the release.
In addition to the new initiative, Publix Super Markets Charities recently made donations which totaled $2 million to help Feeding America’s member food banks amid the crisis. The donations come at a time where food banks need it most as millions of people are now out of a job and short of money.
