ANR food drive nets $3,808 for food bank

Ruchi Kashyap shows some of the fruits and vegetables in the $100 farmers market basket.

To celebrate National Food Day, University of California Office of the President employees in Oakland donated a total of $3,808 and 283 cans and packages of food to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. The food drive was sponsored by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and UCOP Staff Assembly. 

The cash donations translated into  nearly $23,000 worth of fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy food items for the 49,000 local families the food bank serves each week, said Suzanna Martinez, Nutrition Policy Institute analyst, who organized the food drive.

During the week of Oct. 19, bins for food collection were placed at all UCOP locations in Oakland. As an incentive for employees to participate, UC ANR offered $100 worth of fresh produce from the Oakland Farmers Market for the floor with the most points.

Cheryl Hyland and Ray Williams help themselves to fresh produce.

The winners of the $100 farmers market basket were the employees of the 10^th floor of the Franklin Street building, who donated $888. Coincidentally UC ANR's headquarters is on the 10^th floor. Runners-up in the competition were the 20th Street building, which raised $673, and Franklin 5th floor, which donated $570.

Food bank barrels were placed at all UCOP locations in Oakland.

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