FOR IMAGES AND MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jodi Falk, Executive Director, Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts
jfalk@feedwma.org
Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts partners with the Big E to bring food to the hungry
Although The Big E closed for the season on Sunday evening, 10/1, their service to the community has not. Partnering with Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts, among other nonprofits, vendors at The Big E were encouraged to donate any surplus, still good food to the food rescue organization. Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts picked up over 3,800 pounds of food both during and on the last day of the fair. The food was donated primarily to Margaret’s Pantry, who recently shared publicly that they needed food, The Gray House, All Nation’s Church, CSO’s Friends of the Homeless and Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry.
Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts plans to continue their partnership with The Big E next year, allowing for even more food to be donated as their partnership strengthens.
“We are thrilled to work with the Big E to serve our community together,” stated Jodi Falk, Executive Director of Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts. “Agriculture is of course the foundation of food security, so it is natural to work with one of the largest agricultural fairs in the country to support food security in our region.” Nancy Delson, Director of Eastern States Exposition Foundation, is “excited to continue our partnership with Rachel’s Table in service to Western Massachusetts.”
Rachel’s Table, since becoming its own nonprofit entity on July 1 of this year, has doubled its impact in Hampshire County, and increased its service in Hampden and Franklin Counties as well. “Our goal is to serve where we are needed,” Falk stated, “and with our rescue, purchase, gleaning and garden growing programs, our service to the community ranges from reducing waste and alleviating hunger daily to creating immediate access and facilitating self-determined food sources in partnership with those most affected by food insecurity.”
The Greater Boston Food Bank’s research found that 41% of households in western MA are food insecure. Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts was initiated 30 years ago because food going to waste while people went hungry is not an acceptable situation. Join Rachel’s Table to become a volunteer driver, dispatcher, or garden liaison and support food security in your own backyard! Visit wwwfeedwma.org to learn more!
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ABOUT RACHEL’S TABLE OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS:
Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts seeks to alleviate local hunger and reduce waste of food resources in Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire Counties. With a holistic approach to food security, the organization rescues, purchases, gleans and grows food. In July 2023 they declared nonprofit status and significantly expanded their reach, particularly in Hampshire County, where a 128% increase in food rescue has had significant local impact.