Produce Pipeline Says Thank You To Farmers

In a recent letter, the Fairfield Suisun Produce Pipeline has asked its supporters for a small favor the next time they visit the Fairfield Farmer’s Market: thank other supporters of the organization who have joined Produce Pipeline’s campaign to feed the hungry.

 “All of the fruit and veggie people have (donated),” said Hendrick . “There’s not a one that have ever said no every night. Sometimes they have had to say no every once in the while because they didn’t have anything left or they needed it.”

The pipeline, just two years old, is a group with a goal “to help Fairfield and Suisun residents donate excess fresh produce directly to local organizations that feed the hungry."

The organization picks up or points people to other nonprofits that accept produce donations coming from fruit trees on thier property. They also encourage others to spread the word that often have excess fruits and vegetables, as well.

Hendrick said the fruit and veggie vendors at the farmer’s market have been very generous to the organization, at times not just donating produce they cannot sell the next day, but coming out of their pockets to donate some of their best to help others less fortunate.

Hendrick said that it is the least she can do by encouraging others to support the vendors during the last couple of weeks the market will be open by purchasing items they usually would, already.

“Don’t spend money you wouldn’t spend," she said. “You’ll save money at the farmers market, anyway, buying produce there. But buy a little bit here and a little bit there, if you can do it.”

She suggests thanking the vendors for their contributions to the Produce Pipeline after purchasing their fruits and veggies, so the vendors won’t think you are asking for a donation. She believes the thank you’s are a small gesture that can go a long way.

“We can’t all just go spend tons of money buying their stuff, but a whole community can actually purchase something and it can amount to something,” she said. “If enough people go and do this then they will feel it, and if it comes with a thank you, they’ll feel acknowledged for what they have done. (They’ll) understand that there is a community behind them.”

This article has been corrected from the original verison, which mischaracterized the group's legal status.