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| Missouri Prison Big 'Producer' |
| By St. Joseph News Press |
| Published: 08/06/2003 |
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The prison has started its annual summer donation of fresh produce to America's Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph, said Nicholas Saccaro, the agency's director. Second Harvest provides the fresh produce, which presently includes cucumbers, cabbages, zucchini, squash and onions, to about 4,000 to 6,000 local residents. According to federal guidelines, as many as 12,000 Buchanan County residents could qualify to participate in the program. Two years ago, the food bank got 50,000 pounds of fresh produce from the Cameron prison, and last year they donated 75,000 pounds, Mr. Saccaro said. 'A lot depends on the rain,' said Steve Clevenger, the assistant prison superintendent. 'We certainly have the potential to beat last year's figure.' In the next couple of weeks, the prison will begin donating tomatoes, watermelons and cantaloupes, Mr. Clevenger said. About 10 to 20 inmates qualify to work in the prison gardens that encompass about 12 acres, he said. The food bank picks the produce up each Tuesday during the growing season. Second Harvest provides food to area food pantries but most aren't set up to handle fresh produce or other items with a limited shelf life, Mr. Saccaro said. The food bank realized there was a need to be able to provide fresh items and built its own food pantry, Harvest House, in 1999. The food pantry makes the produce and other perishable items available each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Later in the growing season, the prison expects to have a large supply of fresh pumpkins to donate, Mr. Clevenger said. The food bank is in need of corn, potatoes and beans if any area farmers or gardeners have excess crops they can donate, Mr. Saccaro said. The food bank can provide a receipt for the fresh-produce donations. |
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