Farmer's Market Purveyor Donates Fresh Produce to Local Food Pantries

ALBANY, NY (09/02/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner, John C. Egan, today announced that Healthway Farms, a vendor at the Empire State Plaza Farmer's Market has donated cases of fresh fruits and vegetables to Albany food pantries nearly every week since 2009.

Joe O'Brien, who runs Healthway Farms in Highland New York, with his wife Rhonda, has been coming to the Empire Plaza Farmer's Market year-round since 2009. Each week, he donates cases of fresh produce to local food pantries. He has donated more than 100 cases to date including Church of Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry, 1st Israel AME Church Food Pantry, Trinity Institution-Homer Perkins Center Food Pantry and 1st Assembly of God Food Pantry. Organizations who receive the donated food give it to clients to take home.

"The on-going generosity of the O'Brien family is greatly appreciated by so many people and organizations throughout Albany," Commissioner Egan said. "It is unfortunate that many families are unable to put food on their table. The O'Brien's are to be commended for their contributions which make a real difference for those in need."

"Sharing the fruits and vegetables of our labors has been a part of our business model for many years," Mr. O'Brien said. "We know that nutritious fresh produce is not always a part of the diet of those who are less fortunate and we are happy to do what we can to change that."

"Food pantries are reliant on the support of the community to keep their shelves stocked year-round, not just during the holiday season," Nancy Calkins, pantry director, St. Vincent's Food Pantry, said. "The produce we get from Healthway Farms lets us offer a variety of fresh seasonal foods to the families we serve. We are extremely thankful for their kindness."

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