Officials in the Tri-County area are launching a regional food hub next year to help more people eat fresh produce. The Tri-County Fresh Food Hub has a facility in East Peoria and will work with farmers to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to people living in so-called ‘food deserts’.
Denise Urycki is co-director of the gitm Foundation that is running the new Food Hub. She says families can sign-up to buy weekly food boxes, or residents can also help low-income residents get the produce deliveries:
"We're talking to those folks that have the means to consider not only purchasing a share, but maybe turning around and donating a share as well. And those shares would then be spread out to help those that are in need in the food desert area," says Urycki.
Urycki says the East Peoria facility and acres of farmland will be used for nutrition and cooking classes and green job training in the coming year. She says people can sign-up to buy or donate a box, volunteer, or become a grower online.
More information on the Tri County Fresh Food Hub is available here.