USDA Farmers-to-Families Food Give-Away Set for Saturday

The Holy Assembly Church of God in Pasadena, Friends of the Miracle Mile and the Pasadena Community Coalition scheduled a USDA Farmers-to Families Food Give-Away on Saturday, May 29, starting at 8:30 a.m., at 55 East Villa Street in Pasadena.

The USDA Farmers-to-Families Food Box Program was implemented starting last year as a temporary, emergency relief effort to respond to severe market disruption caused by the global pandemic.

Through the program, the USDA partners with national, regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been severely impacted when restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses closed due to the pandemic. USDA committed to purchase up to $6 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat products from American producers of all sizes. Distributors package these products into family-sized boxes, then transport them to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need.

The program is now in its fifth round, with the USDA committing to purchase up to $1.5 billion worth of food for delivery through the end of May.

In Pasadena, the food give-away will continue every Saturday until supplies last, the organizers said.

“We are blessed to be able to provide this high-quality fresh food for distribution to families in need during the pandemic,” Bishop C.E. Milton at the Holy Assembly Church of God said.

The event will be a socially-distanced drive-through, with everyone required to wear protective facial covering. No proof of eligibility will be required.

For more information about Saturday’s give away, call Friends of the Miracle Mile at (626) 437-3509.

To learn more about USDA’s Farmers-to-Families Food Box Program, visit www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box.