On Monday, April 20, Friendship Donations Network and PressBay Food Transfer Hub partnered to launch a weekly free food pantry on Monday afternoons. Patrons of the pantry were allowed to select fresh produce donated by local farms and retailers, all while observing Covid-19 safety protocols.

The inaugural pantry featured radish greens, various types of mushrooms, Kennebec potatoes, and assorted fruits and other vegetables. More than 35 people came by to select food to take home.

“PressBay Food Hub is committed to the essential work of increasing food access in Ithaca and beyond,” said Hub organizer Melissa Madden. “We’re just getting started, but hope that getting wholesome, free food into the community is a step towards a food system in Tompkins County that is as just as it is abundant.”

Fresh goat cheese donated by Lively Run Dairy will be offered at the pantry taking place on Monday, 4/27, in addition to other foods. Lively Run Dairy has been working to salvage surplus milk from area farms that would otherwise be dumped as waste due to liquid milk supply chain issues made even more acute by Covid-19. To learn more about Lively Run Dairy’s donation initiative, and to contribute to the cause, check out their Go Fund Me page:  https://bit.ly/2XXaIx1

Everyone is welcome to visit the food pantry at Press Bay Food Transfer Hub on Mondays from 3 – 5 p.m. Please bring your own bag, wear a face mask, and keep 6 feet of distance while you wait for your turn to choose your food. Questions about giving or receiving food can be directed to pressbayfoodhub@gmail.com. Other details and links are below.

Weekly Food Pantry

Mondays 3-5pm

110-1 W Green St.

To Connect: http://pressbayalley.com/pressbay-food-transfer-hub/

Pantry and Food Security: http://pressbayalley.com/pressbay-food-transfer-hub/food-security-work-get-connected/

@pressbayithaca @friendshipdonations