Minnesota Food Pantries Get Produce From Individuals Farmers

MARSHALL (AP) -Food organizations that operate pantries in recent years have placed greater emphasis on fresh produce, relying on a variety of sources including the good will of individual gardeners in southwestern Minnesota.

83-year-old farmer Dennis Stelter donated about 1,000 pounds of vegetables to the Kitchen Table Food Shelf in Marshall last year. Stelter is expected to donate even more produce this year, including zucchini, squash and cucumbers.

Kitchen Table Food Shelf volunteer coordinator Lori Lerohl says Stelter comes in with donations nearly every day.

Bob Chatmas is chief operating officer for Twin Cities-based food bank Second Harvest Heartland. He says food pantries hope to decrease fruit and vegetable waste and provide it to low-income people who can't afford to buy fresh produce.