Answer to Question 1
Backyard Harvest is unique because it uses local talent, local volunteers, local funding, and local resources, and most importantly, offers a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Moreover, Backyard Harvests mission, Outgrowing hunger one community at a time is true; it now is integrated into 3 states (California, Idaho, and Washington) and 6 cities. Thousands of low-income seniors and families receive healthy, locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables from many of the food banks already in operation in those areas. It is unique that staff members are not paid and that this is an organization dedicated to alleviating hunger with a group of volunteers and a high priority upon optimal nutrition for its clients.
Answer to Question 2
In most counties in California, both the Senior Lunch Program providing hot, nutritious lunches for adults 60 and older in congregate settings and the Senior Home-Delivered Meal program providing hot, nutritious lunches to individuals who are homebound and unable to prepare meals alone are available to all eligible citizens. In addition, some counties have the Brown Bag Food Bank using donated food displayed in a supermarket environment and offered to seniors. Recently, in Ventura County, a garden site has been dedicated to supplement the Senior Lunch Program and will produce fresh fruits and vegetables with funding provided by the federal stimulus package. The Network for a Healthy California works with more than 300 different public and non-profit and business partners throughout the state to empower low-income Californians to consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables and enjoy physical activity every day. Funding is from the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.