Healthy Acadia’s Harvest Truck Campaign A Success
For Immediate Release
Date: September 2, 2020
Program Contact: Shoshona Smith, shoshona@healthyacadia.org (207) 667-7171 Ext. 210
Media Contact: Tracey Carlson, tracey@healthyacadia.org, (207) 667-7171 Ext. 112
Healthy Acadia’s Harvest Truck Campaign A Success
This summer Healthy Acadia has been fundraising to purchase a Harvest Truck that will help them bring more nutritious local produce to food pantries across the Downeast region and to feed more families in need. They have just announced that, thanks to community, business, and foundation contributions, they have exceeded their campaign goal, and have just purchased a 2019 Ford Transit Van that will be used by their Downeast Gleaning Initiative to rescue surplus produce from area farms and ensure that it makes its way to the dining room tables of community members who are experiencing challenging financial times.
This vehicle purchase and the funds raised above the campaign goal mean that Healthy Acadia’s Downeast Gleaning Initiative will not only rise up to address the projected 44% increase in food insecurity in our region this year, but will also be equipped to keep the van on the road through the wear and tear of transporting produce for many miles and many years to come. Healthy Acadia understands that COVID-19 is having severe financial impacts on so many, and believes that all people deserve access to healthy food, regardless of income.
“We work with Healthy Acadia’s Gleaning Initiative year-round,” commented Anna Davis, Co-Manager of Beech Hill Farm in Mount Desert, about a month ago, while Healthy Acadia was in the midst of fundraising. “The gleaners come to the farm and harvest or collect surplus food...and distribute it to food insecure residents of the island and surrounding areas. A dedicated vehicle for the Gleaning Initiative would greatly increase their capacity in how much they can take and where they can distribute and who they can distribute to.”
Now, upon the success of the Harvest Truck Campaign, Healthy Acadia’s Food Program Director, Katie Freedman shares, “We are humbled and amazed by the support we've received through this campaign. Our communities have truly stepped up to help us meet the challenge of rising food insecurity, and for that we are so grateful. Having the Harvest Truck on the road means that we won't have to leave perfectly good produce behind on the farm anymore, and more people in our communities will have access to healthy food.”
Healthy Acadia wants to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported their campaign. Special recognition goes to key campaign supporters, including Darlings, Hannaford Charitable Foundation, Machias Savings Bank, Maine Coast Sea Vegetables (100% Employee Owned), Maine Community Foundation, Maine Farmland Trust, Realty of Maine, United Way of Eastern Maine, and Wireless Zone Foundation for Giving, and to GoldenOak Harvest Truck Benefit Concert partners, including the Maine-based indie-folk band, GoldenOak, Community Radio WERU 89.9, The Criterion Theatre, Eastport Arts Center, The Grand, Schoodic Arts for All, and Star 97.7. They welcome donors and the broader community to stay tuned for an invitation to a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony and chance to see the Harvest Van in action soon.
Interested in learning more about the campaign or making a contribution? Visit firstgiving.com/event/healthyacadia/Harvest-Truck-Campaign or contact Shoshona Smith at Shoshona@HealthyAcadia.org or by calling (207) 667-7171.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in a broad range of initiatives to build healthier communities and make it easier for people to lead healthy lives across Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. Learn more at www.HealthyAcadia.org.