When someone thinks about the Food Bank RGV they often think about food drives and collecting canned food. So, it's surprising to know that millions of pounds of fresh produce are collected and distributed to 250 pantries across the Rio Grande Valley to help feed thousands of people.

Being on the border and having access to locally grown produce and imports from Mexico and South America, the Food Bank RGV is able to mitigate food waste and help donors provide a variety of fresh produce to struggling families. In the course of a year, we've been able to get: watermelons, citrus, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, mangoes, spinach, kale, cucumbers and many varieties of fruits and vegetables to Valley families and other food banks in the rest of the country.

Unfortunately, there's a transportation cost to get fresh produce to our pantries and other food banks in the big state of Texas and the rest of the country. With local donations, we will be able to ensure that local distributions are made to cover costs like manpower, fuel and truck upkeep.

Find out more on how you can help feed struggling families with healthier fruits and vegetables today! Visit the Food Bank RGV at 724 N. Cage Blvd., Pharr, Texas or call: 682-8101.

Omar I. Rodriguez, Manager of Communications & Advocacy, can answer your questions online at: omarir@foodbankrgv.com.