Families in the Monticello Central School District had the opportunity to bring home fresh food and pantry staples during a special Regional Food Bank Hudson Valley “Farmstand” held at Emma C. Chase Elementary School last Friday afternoon.
The farmstand, which was free and open to all district families, distributed approximately 150 bags of food during the event. Families were able to choose the items they wanted to include in their bags or select pre-made bags filled with a variety of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, butter, margarine, half-and-half, yogurt, eggs and other pantry staples.
The event marked the first-of-its-kind School Farmstand Pilot for the Regional Food Bank HV and was offered through the organization’s partnership with Sullivan 180-supported school districts.
Regional Food Bank HV facilitator Troy Martin helped lead the effort, while Linda Nittoli coordinated the event on behalf of Chase Elementary. Ms. Nittoli also oversees the district’s backpack food program, which provides backpacks of food on Friday afternoons to sustain students at risk of hunger over the weekend.
Another farmstand is planned for June; more information will be shared once the event is finalized.