BOISE — Due to COVID-19, more families locally and nationwide have become food insecure. According to The Idaho Foodbank, they estimate that one in six adults and one in four kids are food insecure in Idaho.
Grasmick Produce sent in a bid proposal to the USDA for their Farmers to Family Food Box Program. They were awarded 200,000 food boxes to distribute locally in Idaho.
"We really saw it as a twofold opportunity," said Grasmick Produce owner, Angela Grasmick-Reed. "One we could support local farmers and national farmers who had already plowed their fields. Also we could support the unprecedented number of people who had lost their jobs in our community and were becoming food insecure."
Now they have partnered with the Treasure Valley YMCA to distribute the remaining 15,000 25-pound boxes of produce or 25-pound boxes of meat, dairy, and produce to those in need.
"The Y is extremely happy to partner with Grasmick on this," said Treasure Valley YMCA Coordinator, Amanda Schmierer. "There's a need in our community, now more than ever for food, and that's really what this is about, is making that impact."
The government let them pick what goes in the boxes; therefore, they were able to buy mostly locally grown produce from Idaho farms. "I tried to create boxes that are nourishing and things that I think I would like," said Grasmick-Reed.
To ensure safety, people picking up the boxes must remain in their cars. Volunteers will place the box in your vehicle while wearing a mask and gloves.
"The impact of COVID-19 has been devastating for my company, devastating on this community, but I think this program has really shined a light on what makes particularly Idaho so great, and that's its people," said Grasmick-Reed.
Anyone can pick up a box, but only one box per car is allowed.
The YMCA has five different pickup locations.
"It's a wonderful partnership with Grasmick that the Y is able to be able to come together with them in this time of need and provide necessary resources for families that are struggling," said Schmierer.
The boxes include:
PRODUCE BOX CONTENTS 25 LBS
- Potato Local (Grown in Idaho) 5# Bag
- Yellow Onion Medium 3# Bag
- Apple Local (Grown In Idaho) 3# Bag
- Orange 4# Bag
- Yam or Sweet Potato 2#
- Stonefruit(peach plum and nectarine used interchangeably) 2# Bag
- Romaine Heart 3ct Bag
- Strawberry 1# Clam
- Broccoli & Carrots Mix 12 oz Bag
- Arcadian Mix 1# Bag
- Bell Pepper (red, green and yellow used interchangeably) 2# Bag
COMBINATION BOX CONTENTS 25 LBS.
- Broccoli & Carrots Mix 12 oz Bag
- Spinach 10 oz
- Jumbo Red Onion 1 CT
- Apple Local (Grown In Idaho) 3# Bag
- Arcadian Mix 1# Bag
- Petite Red Potato Roasted Garlic Rosemary in Microwaveable Bag 1#
- Petite Yellow Potato Roasted Toasted Onion in Microwaveable Bag 1#
- Pre-Cooked Buffet Ham (Idaho Producer) 3# Bag
- Fully Cooked Chicken Thigh 1# Bag
- 2% Milk Gallon
- Salted Butter 1# Stick
- Block Mild Cheddar 1# Bag
- Shredded Colby Jack Cheese 2# Bag
- String Cheese 16 oz Bag
The schedule to pick up a box is:
Downtown Boise YMCA Mondays 4–6 pm June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
West Boise YMCA Tuesdays 4–6 pm June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
South Meridian YMCA Wednesdays 4–6 pm June 3, 10, 17, 24
Caldwell High School (across from the Caldwell YMCA) Thursdays 4–6 pm May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25
Saturdays 9–11 am (rotating locations)Downtown Boise YMCA, May 30 West Boise YMCA, June 6 South Meridian YMCA, June 13 Caldwell High School, June 20 Downtown Boise YMCA, June 27
For more information, click here.
