Donation to North Texas Food Bank aims to help close hunger gap
The Texas International Produce Association again teamed up with the North Texas Food Bank of Plano, Texas, to help close the hunger gap. At the conclusion of the Viva Fresh Expo earlier this month, 21,806 pounds of fresh produce was donated. 
The donation would not be possible without the approximately 200 fresh fruit and vegetable growers, shippers and importers that exhibit at the Viva Fresh Expo. This fresh produce donation will help fight food insecurity in the region and be distributed through North Texas Food Bank’s network of more than 400 partner agencies.
“Our organization and industry members work tirelessly to grow and ship the healthy fruits and vegetables that end up in stores and on our tables,” said Dante Galeazzi, CEO of TIPA. “By making this donation, not only are we able to evoke positive change, we’re also able to meet the needs of a community experiencing an unprecedented level of food insecurity.”
North Texas ranks as the fifth most food insecure region in the nation. Approximately 700,000 North Texans face food insecurity – including one in five children. The North Texas Food Bank is dedicated to creating a hunger-free, healthy North Texas. Through donations and fundraisers, it provides access to nutritious meals to families, children and seniors in its 13-county service area. Last year it served a record-breaking 137 million meals, highlighting the continued need.
“The North Texas Food Bank is proud to be a dedicated provider of food for those in need, and this fresh produce donation is a welcome gift that allows us to offer many fresh produce offerings our families may not have typical access to,” said Mike Robinson, director of food sourcing for NTFB. “Our mission to close the hunger gap in North Texas by providing access to nutritious food continues to be an exciting possibility, thanks to the generosity of organizations like the Texas International Produce Association and their grower members.”
The Viva Fresh Produce Expo was established in 2015 by TIPA in order to create networking and educational opportunities for its members, while shining a light on the importance of the Rio Grande Valley as an emerging trade corridor and production zone for healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables available all year long. For more information, please visit vivafreshexpo.com.
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