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Politics & Government

Fresh Produce Cost May Increase for Local Food Banks

Rising transportation and food costs could be passed on to community agencies

Recently, the Capital Area Food Bank launched a one million dollar campaign to help offset the rising costs associated with acquiring and distributing fresh produce to partner agencies in the local area.

“We are in the midst of a hunger crisis here in the Washington area and across this nation.  The food bank’s transportation and food costs have increased by 30 percent in the last three months,” said Lynn Brantley, president and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank.

 If the Food bank is unable to locate additional funding, they will pass along a $.10 per pound “shared maintenance fee,” to partner agencies, including Silver Spring’s Interfaith Works.

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According to Interfaith Works administrative coordinator Sandra Miller, “produce at ten cents per pound is cheap. It puts a burden on our budget, but we love the Capital Area Food Bank, and we can handle it.”

Typically, most people who donate food to Interfaith Works do not give fresh produce, but backyard and community farmers are encouraged to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to Interfaith’s Silver Spring location at 8210 Colonial Lane. They accept donations weekdays from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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Interfaith Works is one of five local organizations that receive assistance from the Capital Area Food Bank. The other four are the Luther Rice Neighborhood Center, , Allen Chapel AME Church Outreach, 's Food Pantry and .

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