Fusilier Family Farms has donated 12,000+ lbs of produce to Food Gatherers so far this summer!

Fusilier Family Farms bringing produce to the Food Gatherers warehouse. Photo courtesy of Food Gatherers.

by Sara Swanson

Manchester’s Fusilier Family Farms was recently recognized by Food Gatherers. This summer, they’ve brought in excess produce every Monday. So far they have donated 12,359 pounds of fresh summer squash, zucchini, green beans, sweet corn, and cucumbers, and have committed to doing so through the end of the growing season!

Food Gatherers stated, “The donations get distributed throughout our network of 140 food pantries and meal programs in Washtenaw County for anyone facing hunger to access. The rate of food insecurity has increased from 12.5% to 14%, so receiving produce of this quality from Fusilier’s and other local farms is especially impactful right now.”

You can purchase fresh produce, plants, local beef, and more from Fusilier Family Farms at their farm store located at 16400 Herman Rd.

Fusilier Family Farms stated on Facebook, “We’re proud to partner with Food Gatherers to help make sure fresh food gets to those who need it most. We often get asked what happens to the food we can’t sell or when we overproduce — and this is one way we make sure nothing goes to waste. Every Monday, we donate extra farm-fresh produce so it ends up on tables, not in compost. Huge thanks to Food Gatherers for the incredible work they do — we’re grateful to be a small part of it!”

Food Gatherers is a food bank, food rescue program, and more serving Washtenaw County. They leverage state and national food resources for hunger relief and lead a network of hunger relief providers, which includes the Manchester Community Resource Center. In fiscal year 2024 Food Gatherers distributed 10.3 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 8.5 million meals, to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

Do you need food? If you live in the Manchester area, call the Community Resource Center at 734-428-7722 or email them at info@manchestercrc.org. If you live outside of the Manchester area or need food help on the weekend, visit https://www.foodgatherers.org/foodresources/ or call Food Gatherers at 734-761-2796.

Green beans, cucumbers, and summer squash donated by Fusilier Family Farms. Photo courtesy of Food Gatherers.

Summer squash donated by Fusilier Family Farms. Photo courtesy of Food Gatherers.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.