DMARC and Capital City Fruit to Provide USDA Produce Boxes

Update (6/22/2020): DMARC and Capital City Fruit are excited to announce that produce boxes will continue to be distributed through the DMARC Food Pantry Network through August, and more free public giveaways have been scheduled for the following Fridays: June 19 & 26; July 10, 17, 24 & 31; August 14 & 28.

For the next five weeks, the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network will be distributing boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables from Capital City Fruit through the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
The produce boxes will be distributed through DMARC’s network of 14 partner food pantries beginning today, and a public giveaway will be held at 10:00am this Friday at the Southridge Mall parking lot.

“Capital City Fruit has been partnering with DMARC for over a decade to get fresh fruits and vegetables to food pantry clients in an effort to improve nutrition among that population,” said Brendan Comito, Chief Operations Officer at Capital City Fruit. “Now, we are able to reach even more people through the USDA Food Box program, which is a win on multiple levels. It is a win for US growers, for the companies and their employees assembling the food boxes, for the non-profits such as DMARC, and for the people in our community that need food assistance.”

The produce boxes include approximately 20 lbs. of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and are being distributed along with additional food items through DMARC’s network of partner food pantries. Food pantries have implemented a variety of alternative pantry methods such as call-ahead ordering, curbside pick-up, and food deliveries to help keep the community safe during the pandemic.

“Providing healthy food to people in need remains our top priority,” said DMARC CEO Matt Unger. “We are so grateful to partner with Capital City Fruit during this time to provide additional fresh fruits and vegetables to the people we assist.”

DMARC and Capital City Fruit are also teaming up to provide the produce boxes through free public giveaways on Fridays from 10:00am to 1:00pm (or until supplies last) at the Southridge Mall parking lot. The first giveaway will be held this Friday, May 29, and will continue to be held at the same time and location every Friday for the month of June.

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13 Replies to "DMARC and Capital City Fruit to Provide USDA Produce Boxes"

  • Ronda Frost
    May 26, 2020 (3:32 pm)

    Carlisle Hometown Pride would like to organize volunteers in our community to aid in delivery.

    • Cyndi
      August 26, 2020 (11:44 pm)

      I just want to say thank you so very much for what you have done supplying fruits and veggies. I didn’t take part every week, but the few weeks that I did, I was most thankful and grateful. Everything was just excellent. Last time, we were even able to get a box for his mom who had been without power all week, and she was so thankful and excited.
      I hope that you are able to continue this in to the fall. People are too quick to grab potato chips, so hopefully doing this, they will grab some celery and put some peanut butter on it, or a carrot.
      Anyway, I just wanted to say that I am very thankful for what you are doing, and to say thank you.
      God Bless♥️
      Cyndi

  • Pat Coady
    May 28, 2020 (3:05 pm)

    Wish they did this in Jasper County

  • Edna Krolick
    May 28, 2020 (4:48 pm)

    Where

  • Jeff Johnson
    June 4, 2020 (2:48 pm)

    What time the giveaway start tomorrow June 5th? T hank you.

    • Robynne
      August 29, 2022 (11:53 am)

      This program is so awesome I just want to thank the volunteers that took time out to help families that are in need. Very friendly and for the first I wasn’t left feeling like a horrible parent for utilizing these services.

  • Stephen Hopkins
    June 12, 2020 (5:07 pm)

    I got one of your boxes very fresh God bless u

  • Debbie
    June 28, 2020 (12:35 am)

    Thank you for all you do for a community that needs help

  • Margo Jones
    June 28, 2020 (10:48 pm)

    Is there any other way to receive a produce box besides coming to SR Mall? Can they be delivered, or can a pick up be arranged at a location closer to the Luther Park Senior Complex?

  • Michelke
    June 29, 2020 (6:42 pm)

    Yes, they are fresh. A beautiful box. What I can’t use, I share. Bless you all.

  • Julie Dubansky
    July 9, 2020 (4:52 pm)

    Will this be in effect for 7/10/2020?

  • Kristin Preston
    July 15, 2020 (10:27 pm)

    July 19 and July 26 are Sunday not Friday

  • Lisa
    August 15, 2020 (8:14 am)

    Where can I get a box. Lost all food in power outage