Local food banks provide fresh produce
One in six Idahoans cannot afford healthy foods. But here in eastern Idaho, there is a way to get a hold of those delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, thanks to local food banks.
“Fruits and vegetables are really important. The fresher the better, the more nutrients are going to be in the fruits and vegetables the fresher they come,” said Emily Cowles, registered dietitian at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
Everyday, Cowles plans healthy food diets for her patients. She understands the importance of having a well-balanced diet.
“Its really important for your weight and for your immune system,” said Crowles.
But she also understands that buying healthy foods can be expensive. That may cause you to miss picking up a few healthy items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, especially if you’re not a fan of them in the first place.
“It’s a food that they’re not used to, that their palate isn’t used to. It could take several times of tasting something before it becomes something that we like,” said Cowles.But now there’s no excuse for not buying fresh produce in eastern Idaho.
The Idaho Falls Community Food Bank understands the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. That’s why every week, they receive a shipment of fresh fruits and vegetables that you can pick up.
Oranges, apples, lettuce, and potatoes, the Idaho Food Bank ships more than 2.8 million pounds of produce a year to programs like the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank to provide healthy food for those in need.
And if you think that’s a lot of food, all of this produce will be gone by tomorrow night.
Buck Horton, chairman of the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank, couldn’t be happier to help serve healthy, fresh food.
“They’re getting some good nutritional food. Some of the canned food is not very nutritious for them. And it may cause stuff to grow on their waist instead of helping them grow strong bones and teeth,” said Horton.
In 2012, the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank served more than 32,000 people in need.
