UNITED STATES - Some of fresh produce’s most influential partners are largely aligned with the logistics of buy and supply. With the market’s landscape currently undergoing an unprecedented shift, innovation is top of mind for companies reworking their business models. Enter FarmLink, an innovative new nonprofit that supports fresh produce growers in pivoting their operations, paying for unsold product and distributing it to food banks.

“The main benefit of partnering with FarmLink is what also sets us apart,” began FarmLink Volunteer Theo Velaise. “Unlike other nonprofit hunger-relief organizations, FarmLink compensates farmers for their unsold produce. We use money raised from donors to sponsor these payments. We want farms to see us as their customers for good.”

Another advantage of partnering with FarmLink is its innovative logistics network. Farmers do not need to worry about delivering produce from point A to point B. Once product is loaded onto the trucks, FarmLink will organize delivery and unload the supplies to partner food banks. Collaborating with this company means getting paid for unsold produce that is getting onto the plates of consumers currently facing hunger. For farmers looking to connect with FarmLink today, please click here.

“While it is our mission to find unsold produce and deliver it to food banks, it is equally our aim to purchase this unsold produce so that farmers and their employees still earn revenue for their hard work,” Theo continued. “FarmLink also pays the wages of the truckers delivering our purchased produce from farms to food banks, to support the silent heroes of this supply chain. With the help of our sponsors and donors, FarmLink is fighting hunger while simultaneously securing jobs during this pandemic.”

FarmLink is only a month old, but in this time, the organization has delivered more than 700,000 lbs of food and paid over $70,000 in wages to farm workers and truckers. Alongside Borden Dairy, FarmLink has also planned and organized the delivery of 120,000 gallons of milk to food banks across the country. In one of its latest moves, the organization began distributing fresh food to New York City, recently delivering 40,000 lbs of potatoes to the River Fund NYC. In order to reach its goal of delivering 1,000,000 lbs of food by the end of the month, FarmLink is seeking out recurring deals with growers.

“We are farmers’ customers, taking the financial burden off of them and food banks around the country, while rescuing food and feeding the hungry. FarmLink is a grassroots, student-ran organization, not a hierarchical bureaucracy,” Theo concluded. “Getting a hold of us is as easy as calling your friend, as we are responsive and move quickly. We adapt to each situation and do what we can to get produce into the hands of those who need it most.”

You can also connect with FarmLink via its social media platforms at Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Our hats are off to the industry innovators at FarmLink and all of the hard-working growers who continue to maintain a healthy and continuous food supply. As more industry partners like this enter the playing field, keep coming back to AndNowUKnow for the latest.

FarmLink