Animal Rights Maine Fresh Produce Food Drive

Support Local Farmers & Neighbors
Animal Rights Maine Launches 1st Monthly Food Drive at Saturday’s Deering Oaks Farmers Market

WHEN: Saturday August 7, 2010, 7 A.M. - 12 P.M. – Rain or Shine.

WHERE: Deering Oaks Park, Portland, Maine (Park Avenue and State Street).

WHAT: Fresh Produce Food Drive. Animal Rights Maine (ARM) activists will staff a monthly food drive table at the Deering Oaks Farmers Market in Portland to collect donations of fresh fruits and vegetables. August’s donations will be given to Preble Street, where over 6,000 free meals are served to neighbors in need each week.

Animal Rights Maine (ARM) is launching the first of its monthly Farmers’ Market food drives on Saturday August 7th, 2010. The food drive will offer shoppers the opportunity to purchase fresh, local produce to donate to neighbors in need of hunger relief.

“There are hunger relief agencies that come in during the week day markets to pick up food farmers are unable to sell,” says Melissa Gates, founding member of Animal Rights Maine. Gates said that the food drive approach will continue this service so food is not wasted, but will also offer local farmers the opportunity to maximize their profits by providing a forum for shoppers to purchase and then donate fresh produce. “It’s a win-win situation. The farmers will benefit, people will be able to participate in fostering local food systems and aiding in hunger relief initiatives, and our neighbors in need of food will receive the most fresh, local, healthy produce available,” added Gates.

“Animal rights is about more than advocating for animals; it is about promoting a philosophy of life that is based upon compassion for all,” said Gates. “The promotion of local, sustainable, plant-based food systems and a vegan diet are pivotal aspects of this healthy, all encompassing, compassionate philosophy.”

Farmers’ Market shoppers are encouraged to look for the “Fresh Produce Food Drive” sign at the August 7th market to participate in the food drive. All fresh produce collected will be donated, free of charge, to Preble Street Resource Center, where 6,000 meals are served in three kitchens to our neighbors in need each week.

Questions…? Please contact Melissa Gates at Animal Rights Maine: animalrightsmaine@yahoo.com or 207.409.5322. Thank you!