OXNARD, CA - Not all heroes wear capes, but I won’t stop that imagery from popping up every time I read how those in our industry have stepped up to give back to those in need. Back in March, when the crisis was first emerging, Bobalu Berry Farms quickly reached out to its local school district to support kids and their families to provide healthy food after the schools closed. As we wrap up the end of May, the Oxnard School District now receives donations from San Miguel Produce, Duda Family Farms, and Chuy & Sons as well.
“This is a time when we can all pull together as an industry and support our neighbors,” said Bobby Jones, President of Bobalu, when asked on what inspired him to give back.
According to a statement, Bobby and RC Jones, company Partners, personally delivered 4,000 containers of fresh strawberries to schools in their district. Each time the Oxnard School District made a call for help, the industry has answered with fresh strawberries, avocados, kale, celery, and more from its local fresh produce community.
Bobalu also received a call from another small school district in town that serves many farmworkers in the area who are unable to get to school during the day to pick up donated meals. Because of this new relationship, the school district now wants to explore the possibility of building a distribution network between local farmers and their local districts for a purchasing program that is sustainable once the kids go back to school, hoping that this will serve as a model for other ag communities in the future.
The school district has enlisted the assistance of a group of young volunteers to help deliver hundreds of bags directly to family homes. The donations, the creativity of the school districts, and the ability of farmers to quickly pivot to become local distributors are all truly inspiring.
Whether it is local or nationwide, acts of kindness are continuing to pop up to spread a little bit of joy. Continue following along with ANUK as we bring these stories to light.
