Farmers help fight hunger

William T. Lubas of Montgomery
    I was at the Giamarese Farm in East Brunswick, November 29, when Jim Giamarese, President of the New Jersey Agricultural Society informed those present that one of its programs, Farmers Against Hunger (FAH) was being forced to shut down due to lack of funding. Jim is special human being. He is a kind and compassionate man who works tirelessly for the Ag Society, FAH, and New Jersey Agriculture. I heard in his voice sadness, dismay, frustration, and disappointment. The expected funding will not arrive.
   Farmers Against Hunger began in 1996. Its mission is to help feed the hungry, the poor, and the homeless. FAH delivers over 1.5 million pounds of FREE fresh fruit and vegetables to those in need and serves some 6,000 people per week. Additional people are served through the state’s various food banks, which also receive produce from Farmers Against Hunger. The cost for FAH to deliver food is less then 8 cents per pound. FAH picks (gleans) from the farmer’s fields surplus produce with more than 1,000 volunteers from various service groups and corporations as well as inmates from the Department of Corrections. Rather than allowing the produce to rot in the fields or be plowed under, some farmers throughout the state allow FAH to glean the fields of the surplus. Other farmers donate produce to the program outright. None of the farmers receive any payment for the food they donate. The surplus fruit and vegetables are FREE. Each harvest day FAH delivers the fruit and vegetables to churches, soup kitchens, and food pantries. FAH delivers to those in need, at no cost. It is FREE. The administration, coordination, and delivery are provided by FAH.
   With only a few weeks before Christmas, FAH, on a financial shoestring and a large measure of faith has decided to resume their mission to help feed the hungry, the poor, and the homeless. FAH has re-started.
   At this very special time of the year I have taken on a new role, that of a beggar. On behalf of the hungry, the poor, and the homeless, I beg you to help. I would not beg from you without sending my contribution to help feed the hungry, the poor and homeless, which I have done.
   Farmers Against Hunger is a non-profit 501©(3). Your contribution is tax deductible. Please send your donations to: New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger, P.O. Box 331, Trenton, N.J. 08625. For more information please visit www.njagsociety.org.
William T. Lubas, Trustee
NJ Agricultural Society
East Street
Montgomery