With hunger on the rise in Central Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank rolled out a new Kraft Food Mobile Pantry truck Thursday at the Pine Crest Elementary School. The refrigerated vehicle will hit the road to bring a “farmers’- market-on-wheels” to underserved areas, expanding the reach of the food bank and delivering fresh fruit, vegetables and other nutritious staples.
The truck is part of a nationwide fleet helping fight hunger in our nation’s food deserts from Kraft Foods and its Foundation, in partnership with Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger-relief organization.
The mobile pantry will bring more than 4.2 million pounds of good nutrition – that’s nearly 5.6 million meals – to the area’s hungry residents each year, at a time when the need has never been greater.
“Here in Central Florida, 27 percent of children are food insecure – that is more than 1,116,260 kids – face food insecurity. We’re seeing more residents reaching out for food assistance than ever before,” said Dave Krepcho, President/CEO of Second Harvest. “The Kraft Foods Mobile Pantry could not come at a better time to help us increase the number of clients and areas we are able to reach.”
“The mobile pantry truck will increase the reach of Second Harvest to help feed more families,” said Joe Morgan, Customer Vice President of Kraft Foods. “The trucks are a fresh food oasis, helping reach those that might not have access to emergency assistance. And with a mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, families have more options for good nutrition and balanced meals.”
With a student body of approximately 780 children attending Pine Crest Elementary, about 86 percent are enrolled in either free or reduced lunch programs. Principal, Dr. Dianne Lebruton said, “the mobile pantry will provide much-needed food to families after hours when lunch programs cannot help fill empty tummies.”
Winn-Dixie is also partnering with the Kraft Foods mobile pantry to help bring much needed assistance to those in need in the area.
