Fourth annual organic food drive in New Port Richey collecting quality food for less fortunate 

In the spirit of the holidays, New Port Richey FarmNet is sponsoring the fourth annual organic food drive in New Port Richey. FarmNet organizers from Friendship Farms & Fare are partnering with Metropolitan Ministries and the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger to inspire the community to share high quality organic food with the less fortunate.

Organizers are asking for contributions of certified USDA organic food in cans and boxes for distribution to low-income and less fortunate families in the area. Why not give the best to those in greatest need?

Joining in the drive are a number of local markets, Habitat for Humanity and Grand Gardens.

Other groups and individuals are invited to participate. See contact information, below. The holiday food drive will run through December 14, with periodic distribution events to be scheduled near Thanksgiving and during the December Holiday Season.

Drop-off containers for the food collection are the following:

Wright’s Natural Market – Downtown New Port Richey
Better Health and Nutrition-5336 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34655
The Health Nut-8520 Old County Rd.54 New Port Richey, FL 34653
Judy’s Natural Market-2435 US HWY 19 Holiday, FL 34691
West Pasco Habitat for Humanity – 4131 Madison St., New Port Richey
Sunday only Grand Gardens – 5721 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey

Organizers for the food drive are requesting only USDA certified organic food in cans or boxes – no produce or perishables.

Judging from the content of many collection containers, too often food shared in support of the less fortunate is of low quality, highly processed, perhaps unhealthy, likely genetically modified, and almost never organic.

Why not give the best to those in greatest need?

“Why give poor food to folks reaching out for sustenance?  Why not express our care, compassion, and kindness in a thoughtful manner, by taking just a little time to find high-quality, nutritious organic food to share with those who would most benefit?” said Dell deChant, a member of the Pasco County Food Policy Council and a member of the FarmNet leadership team.

The holiday organic food drive aims to make an immediate and gratifying change in the way we think about those we help by sharing healthy, nutritious, and good food with persons in need of good nutrition. FarmNet asks participants, supporters, and the general public to join them by dropping off food or sending in contributions to help the cause.  All donations will be used to acquire organic food for the drive.

Organizers recommend acquiring food for the drive at Wright’s Natural Market (in downtown  New Port Richey. Wrights is a FarmNet supporter, and features a wide selection of high quality organic and natural foods, beverages, and supplements.

Joining Wrights are three other markets: Better Health and Nutrition (5336 Little Road New Port Richey), The Health Nut (8520 Old County Rd.54 New Port Richey), and Judy’s Natural Market (2435 US Hwy. 19 Holiday).

Monetary contributions for the organic food drive may be sent to:  Friendship Farms & Fare, PO Box 596, New Port Richey, FL 34656-0596.  All donations will be used to acquire organic food for the drive.

Donations are all Tax Deductible

All resources received for this event are tax-deductible and will be used exclusively to purchase food for the organic food drive. Any financial support to cover cost of materials, supplies, and transportation is also greatly appreciated. Checks may be made out to Friendship Farms & Fare, a branch of Ecology Florida (a 501 C 3, not-for-profit organization).

For more information about the organic food drive, call Dell deChant at (727) 849-1626.