HANDS Diverse Pantry

I was lucky enough to spend time today with Erick Nsabimana, who is helping us with our new “HANDS Diverse Pantry” program as we get healthy food to older adults who are BIPOC (black, indigenous, or people of color) or immigrants. We visited three African farmers who are providing fresh produce, two local ethnic markets, Feeding Chittenden’s warehouse, and some seniors who received fresh veggies and dried beans.

Farmers are growing African eggplant, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, amaranth, umsamo, pumpkin and squash for the leaves, pinto beans, garlic, spinach, lenga-lenga, and peppers. Feeding Chittenden offers a variety of rice and beans that come from Vermont Foodbank. M Square Vermont and RGS Nepali Market are filled with groceries. We purchase what we can afford and package up the items. Erick then delivers to about 100 seniors a week.

We are grateful for funding from Age Well, Ben & Jerry’s, and all of the individuals who have donated. Thank you so much!