Food Forward Collects 11 Tons of Food At Harbor Farmers Market to Fight Hunger

A vendor pulls a cart full of Food Forward produce past Farmers Market visitors

Every Sunday at the Channel Islands Harbor’s Farmers’ Market, hundreds of fruit and vegetables go unsold. The produce is fresh, so farmers can’t bring it back for sale due to potential quality concerns. Fortunately, the food doesn’t go to waste.

Food Forward, a non-profit organization that fights hunger and food waste by collecting surplus fruits and vegetables, collects the produce at the Harbor’s Farmers Market and donates them to local hunger relief agencies. They’ve been doing so at the Harbor for 3 years.

Food Forward at the Channel Islands Farmers Market

Food Forward at the Channel Islands Farmers Market

A vendor pulls a cart full of Food Forward produce past Farmers Market visitors

PHOTO CREDIT: JEFFREY DAWSON

Food Forward Ventura Branch Associate Dominque Derse said the food collected at the Harbor’s Farmers Market is extremely important in the battle against hunger.

“Produce is an incredibly important part of everyone’s diet, and Food Forward makes sure everyone has access to fresh produce,” Derse said.

In fact, in 2019 alone, more than 23,394 pounds (or 11.6 tons) of produce was recovered at the Harbor’s market and donated to three local agencies serving individuals experiencing food insecurity: Turning Point Foundation, C Street Family Plan in Oxnard, and Restore Ventura.

Food Forward collects produce at 25 farmers markets located in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Over the past 10 years, Food Forward has recovered and donated more than 90 million pounds of produce, and, in 2019, provided fresh, healthy food to 2 million food insecure people in Southern California.

Derse said she’s proud of the work Food Forward accomplishes, but the organization can always use extra volunteers.

“To continue collecting fresh produce from the Channel Islands Farmers Market, Food Forward is always in need of volunteers to participate,” Derse said. “There are plenty of one-day opportunities available on the Food Forward volunteer calendar and, for anyone interested in volunteering regularly, there are opportunities to train as a Glean Team Leader, the dedicated volunteers who lead Food Forward’s produce recovery events.”

To sign up or learn more, please visit foodforward.org/volunteer or email dominique@foodforward.org

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2019 Channel Islands Boating Center Highlights

CIH boating center

Editor’s Note: this article is written by Jennifer Maravola, Coordinator of Campus Recreation Waterfront at the Channel Islands Boating Center. The California State University Channel Islands Boating Center (CIBC) had…

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Channel Islands Rowing Club Cleans Up Harbor

CIH Rowing Club members cleaning up the harbor

Members of the Channel Islands Rowing Club spend a ton of time on Harbor waters training and getting ready for their next big competition. This past Saturday (Feb. 22, 2020) they spent time on and off the water cleaning it up.

“We feel it is important to give back to the beautiful Harbor that we row in every day,” said Tammy Coburn, a CI Rowing Club parent. “We are lucky to have such a great Harbor and we want to keep it that way.”

The CI Rowing Club gathered 15 volunteers and cleaned up the launch ramp parking lot, small boat marina, and the waters of the east channel – where they practice nearly every day.

Coburn said this is the first cleanup the rowing club conducted this calendar year. They plan to conduct at least one cleanup day each month through May. The dates include: March 28; April 25; and May 23. Each cleanup is scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Coburn said anyone is welcome to join in on future cleanups. Please send an email to info@cirowingclub.org if you are interested.

CIH Rowing Club cleaning up the docks

CIH Rowing Club members with nets piloting a flat-deck boat during harbor cleanup

CIH Rowing Club members paddle a canoe during harbor cleanup

CIH Rowing Club members cleaning up the harbor

About the Rowing Club

Channel Islands Rowing Club provides the opportunity for high school and middle school students in Ventura County to experience and compete in the ultimate team sport.​ The rowing club provides a comprehensive training program to boost student-athletes’ personal development.  The rowing club fosters a sense of team spirit while helping athletes develop both physical and mental strength.  Athletes learn to trust and support teammates while establishing their own sense of confidence and commitment.

For more information about the Channel Islands Rowing Club, please visit https://www.cirowing.org/

Editor’s Note: this story was published on February 24, 2020.

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