June 10, 2008: Kaptur Donates 10,000 Pounds of Potatoes
June 10, 2008
Congresswoman Kaptur directed $1,000 from a Congressional pay raise account—which consists of funds from the congressional pay raises that she has refused to accept—to purchase the potatoes from Michael Farms, a family-owned business in Champaign County. Kaptur said she was able to purchase 10,000 pounds of Ohio potatoes for $1,000 (or, $1 per 10-pound bag).
Kaptur urged local groups to copy her example and combine their buying power to get the most food for their dollar by procuring directly from Ohio’s family farmers.
“Our community has the makings of a food emergency locally,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. Requests for food assistance have increased 37 percent in the past year, while donations have fallen by approximately 65 percent.
“We have an obligation to do everything we can. I am making this personal donation to the Seagate Food Bank, and frankly I hope it will inspire others to follow suit and make precious food dollars stretch by bulk buying directly from Ohio farmers,” she said.
“Every person and organization can make a difference. Although we live in one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world, many people are food short right here in our community. We have to think about creative solutions—how to directly link food pantries and feeding sites to Ohio’s farmers, or to grow the product in the city. Bulk buying can stretch the food dollar a long way. Spending every food dollar wisely can get the most food at the best price and through price and quality through purchasing directly from family farmers.”
Congresswoman Kaptur presented the first bag of potatoes to Debbie Vas, executive director of the Toledo Seagate Food Bank, and challenged community-minded organizations, religious groups and civic-minded individuals to follow her example by working with local farmers and growers to purchase foodstuffs to help replenish local food pantries and soup kitchens.
Local organizations that wish to procure foodstuffs for the needy from Ohio farmers should contact the Center for Innovative Food Technology at 419-535-6000 or 877-668-3472.
Kaptur urged local groups to copy her example and combine their buying power to get the most food for their dollar by procuring directly from Ohio’s family farmers.
“Our community has the makings of a food emergency locally,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. Requests for food assistance have increased 37 percent in the past year, while donations have fallen by approximately 65 percent.
“We have an obligation to do everything we can. I am making this personal donation to the Seagate Food Bank, and frankly I hope it will inspire others to follow suit and make precious food dollars stretch by bulk buying directly from Ohio farmers,” she said.
“Every person and organization can make a difference. Although we live in one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world, many people are food short right here in our community. We have to think about creative solutions—how to directly link food pantries and feeding sites to Ohio’s farmers, or to grow the product in the city. Bulk buying can stretch the food dollar a long way. Spending every food dollar wisely can get the most food at the best price and through price and quality through purchasing directly from family farmers.”
Congresswoman Kaptur presented the first bag of potatoes to Debbie Vas, executive director of the Toledo Seagate Food Bank, and challenged community-minded organizations, religious groups and civic-minded individuals to follow her example by working with local farmers and growers to purchase foodstuffs to help replenish local food pantries and soup kitchens.
Local organizations that wish to procure foodstuffs for the needy from Ohio farmers should contact the Center for Innovative Food Technology at 419-535-6000 or 877-668-3472.