Apple Alert: Record Breaking Food Rescue

What's New

John Deere has teamed up with The Farmlink Project to tackle one of the biggest challenges in our food system: getting surplus produce, like apples from Timber Ridge Fruit Farm, into the homes of those in need. This fall, Farmlink completed a record-breaking food rescue event, redirecting over 15 million pounds of surplus apples from U.S. farms to food banks.

The Opportunity  

"There's enough food to feed everyone in the world, but we know that one third of our food goes to waste each year,” shared Laura Eberlin, Vice President of the John Deere Foundation. “The Farmlink Project connects farmers to charitable organizations so that all the food that has grown is honored and given to those that need it."

Farmlink’s Mission

Farmlink is a nonprofit founded by college students in 2020. Kate Nelson, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Farmlink, explained, "We help growers in just about every single state. Our purpose is to support farmers and to feed families, being that intermediary step between farmers with surplus and the people who can enjoy it."

Since its inception, Farmlink has rescued 250 million pounds of produce, translating into about 200 million meals.

Largest Food Rescue

This fall, The Farmlink Project completed a record-breaking food recovery event, redirecting 15 million pounds of surplus apples from orchards to Feeding America food banks, ensuring the fresh produce reached families in need.

Cordell Watt from Timber Ridge Fruit Farm noted, "Oversupply every year is becoming more and more of a problem. If we didn't have Farmlink, I would say 25 to 30% of our apples would not have a home."

Enhancing Food Security

This partnership not only reduces food waste but also enhances food security in urban areas. Eleni Shepard, senior manager of food sourcing at the Capital Area Food Bank, expressed gratitude, "Nearly half of what we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. We are incredibly grateful for more produce donations like this that help get fresh fruits and vegetables to our neighbors."

The rescue project took place in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which required rapid response from all teams. Eberlin shared, "It is amazing to know that these apples are going to communities directly impacted, getting the fresh food to the rescue tents and shelters."

Long-Time Commitment

Championing food security has been part of John Deere’s DNA since its inception in 1837. “Whether advancing technology to empower farmers to do more with less, or by supporting initiatives that address their challenges, John Deere has had a longstanding commitment to solving hunger,” said Eberlin. “This year, we announced a $6.6 million grant to Feeding America food banks to help them grow their capacity to help end hunger, ensuring the food our customers work tirelessly to provide is getting to those who need it most.”

Get involved

Deere’s impact also extends through its TikTok Shop, where proceeds from select merchandise support The Farmlink Project’s mission to combat hunger nationwide. 

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