The Farm Report
Feeding the Hungry
This week on The Farm Report, Erin Fairbanks talks with Anthony Butler of St. John's Bread and Life, an emergency food provider based out of Bed Stuy, Brooklyn. Tune in to hear Erin and Anthony discuss the importance of local and healthy food providers for poor and hungry populations, the problems with the food stamp program in New York City, and food education in the Bed Stuy community. Also, Anthony tells about how to work with donated food, whether it's squash or lobster. This program was sponsored by Cain Vineyard & Winery.
"Probably the best and most robust group that is able to respond to the issues of hunger is the food community, particularly in Brooklyn. We're dramatically increasing our procurement from purveyors of New York State products, both farmers and value -added purveyors."
"If you receive food stamps as an individual, you have to live on four dollars and fifty cents a day. It grows for a family, it's about twelve dollars a day. It's a significant problem. There's been a 25% increase in the number of folks with four-year degrees who are [finding] themselves in food pantries and soup kitchens."
-- Anthony Butler on The Farm Report