At the peak of summer, when gardens are overflowing with freshly grown vegetables and fruits, Husker Pantry is standing ready to accept surplus items.
All food donations directly benefit University of Nebraska–Lincoln students.
Fresh items frequently requested by students include tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, zucchini, summer squash, beans, peppers, potatoes and corn.
Due to the perishable nature of fresh produce, Kenji Madison, director of Big Red Resilience and Well-being, offers these tips for donating fresh produce items to the Pantry:
Email pantry@unl.edu at least 24 hours in advance to coordinate a drop-off day (available weekdays between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). In your message, indicate the approximate drop-off day and time, plus the varieties you will bring.
Keep the produce dirty and dry. It’s best if you don’t wash the items. Just bring them in same condition as harvested.
Produce items must be in their original raw/unprocessed form. The pantry is unable to accept “homemade” items that are peeled, frozen, canned, jarred or otherwise preserved in a home kitchen.
Don’t have a backyard garden? Husker Pantry accepts fruits and veggies purchased from grocery stores and farmers markets, too. Follow the same instructions listed previously.
Read further details about fresh produce donations on the pantry’s website and send questions to pantry@unl.edu.
