Backpack Buddy Pilots New Produce Program
Friday, April 21, 2017
By: Misty Robertson

The addition of fresh fruit proves successful for Backpack Buddy recipients!

The Backpack Buddy program at the Houston Food Bank has been a successful endeavor for about 10 years. Recently, the addition of fresh produce has been integrated into the student’s bag as part of a new pilot program after many participating schools expressed an interest in receiving fresh food. Not only does this help further the mission of the Food Bank by increasing produce within the community, but it also gives students and their families the opportunity to experience a variety of fruit that they may otherwise not have had access to.

The produce pilot began with 12 schools located in the Alief, Pasadena and Goose Creek Consolidated school districts. Over the course of five distributions, students received their regular Backpack sacks with the addition of fresh fruits such as pears, oranges and apples. Both students and their family members have gratefully welcomed the additional items and are always excited to see what kind of fruit they will receive next. One parent expressed her gratitude and stated they could only afford what is needed and never had enough money left for extra things like fruit.

With added support from our partners for fruit donations and deliveries, the Food Bank would like to continue adding fresh fruit to the Backpack Buddy sacks and expand to more schools.