We had the absolute honor of hosting First Lady Lori Shapiro, Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, and State Rep. Regina Young at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market to see our food rescue operation! 🎉🥬🍅🥦🍇🍎🥑🍌They joined us for an engaging tour to meet the amazing wholesalers at PWPM, learn about our partnership with the market, and volunteer alongside our team to sort and pack produce donations.
It was inspiring to hear how excited and supportive they were about our collaboration with PWPM. Together over the last 2.5 years, we’ve rescued and redistributed over 20 million pounds of fresh produce to food banks and community organizations across the region.
“For generations, Pennsylvania farmers have nourished our communities by donating their surplus through the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market. Food has the power to nourish families, strengthen communities, and provide sustainable income. From the Pennsylvania Food Policy Council to the investments we’re making at all levels of the agriculture and food industry … we are continuing the legacy of our farmers, and ensuring a healthy, robust, and sustainable future for our Commonwealth.”
— Russell Redding, PA Secretary of Agriculture
“We cannot accept that 20% of Philadelphians lack access to healthy food. Josh and I are committed to changing this by investing in food security across the Commonwealth…” “Our budget proposes $22 million to grow the minimum SNAP benefits, provides meals for school children, and invests in our local farmers.”
— Lori Shapiro, First Lady of Pennsylvania
At Sharing Excess, we see food surplus as an opportunity to improve food access throughout the Commonwealth. In Philadelphia alone, up to 1 million pounds of food goes to waste every day. A significant portion of this food is still perfectly edible. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 Philadelphians will experience food insecurity this year. By partnering with an incredible network of food businesses, food banks, and community organizations, we can bridge the gap to effectively redistribute this surplus to those who need it most. We can reduce waste, save businesses money, and provide crucial food access to millions of people. It’s a true win-win for all🌱💚