Since its inception, thanks to the great generosity of our community, Boothbay Region Food Pantry (BRFP) has been able to expand its offerings to our neighbors. At first, we could only provide the barest minimum of shelf stable staples along with milk, bread, eggs, cheese, and date-limited products donated by Hannaford. As community support increased, we became able to expand our voucher system enabling clients to purchase fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables as well as some meat and seafood from Hannaford. These items, essential to a healthy diet, are often out of reach for a family on a limited income. 

Now that summer is here, we are pleased that, once again, we will be offering locally grown, organic produce. This produce is generously donated by Twin Villages Foodbank Farm and Veggies to Table. In 2023 Veggies to Table provided Food Pantry clients with 2,325 pounds of produce and 1,348 flowers. Their support for our mission, along with the thousands of pounds donated by Twin Villages Foodbank, made it possible for us to reciprocate on a one-time basis by donating a portion of funds that otherwise would have been required to purchase supplies for Pantry customers, thus providing these farms with some seed money. We are also extremely grateful for the support of other groups; most recently the Postal Workers food drive donated 730 pounds of nonperishable food to the Pantry, freeing up some of the cash needed to replenish our shelves.  

Our clients will be able to choose among the fresh-picked veggies at their regular monthly visits and, additionally, even if it is not their day to come, they will be able to “glean” from the produce tables after the attendees entitled to come on that particular Friday have taken what they need. Further, BRFP is now serving as a distribution hub for this locally grown organic produce, which we take to the Community Fridge, the Y, the Community Center, and Food for Thought. We are excited at the prospect of seeing our tables filled with the bounty of summer donated by these two farms and we thank the Boothbay community for their ongoing support for our Pantry. It is what makes it possible for us to help our neighbors obtain a truly healthy diet.