Local farmers, families benefit from new national food program

PITTSBURGH — A new national food program that’s helping out farms and dairies in Pittsburgh aims to connect farmers and families.

It will make a big difference for farmers who lost money during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will benefit the food banks and those in need of food.

It’s making the most of our resources and giving back.

Pennsylvania food distributors received more than $50 million of $1.2 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box program.

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The cash will be used to pay for dairy products, produce and meat from farmers who lost out when the pandemic hit.

Local food distributors such as Schneider Dairy, Monteverde’s and Turner Dairy Farms will now work with food banks to get food boxes to families in need.

Michael Johnson has made it his mission to make a difference through his nonprofit, Opening Doors for Kids Inc.

“That’s why we’re here, to try to take that burden off of the families and to be able to provide them food for themselves and their kids every day,” said Johnson, founder and CEO of Opening Doors for Kids Inc.

They also help with rent assistance, clothing and after school programs.

Joined by a small army of volunteers masked up nearby, Johnson wheeled out box after box after box of goods and loaded up the items into cars nearby.

“We have 120 boxes of fresh produce that we are giving away to the community or the surrounding areas,” Johnson said.

With a record number of folks losing their jobs and fresh fruits and veggies being so pricey, people like Lee Epps said these items make a huge difference when it comes to the health and well-being of their loved ones.

“I’m just glad Wilkinsburg is pulling together and doing what’s right and helping some do the family that need it,” Epps said.

Opening Doors for Kids Inc. is just one of many nonprofits on the receiving end of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box program.

Fayette Co. dairy farm bottles own product due to COVID-19, sells out in hours Fayette Co. dairy farm bottles own product due to COVID-19, sells out in hours

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