The Warminster Food Bank has entered into a new sustainability partnership with Hidden Valley Farm in Jamison that will turn excess produce into fresh eggs for families in need.
Under the arrangement, the Warminster Food Bank will supply the farm with donated produce that is not suitable for retail or daily distribution. Hidden Valley Farm will use the food waste to feed its chickens and pigs. In return, the farm will provide the food bank with 30 to 70 dozen eggs each week, which will be distributed to guests in their monthly grocery baskets.
Hidden Valley Farm, founded in 2015 by Eric Kretschman, raises 1,500 chickens and plans to expand that number to 5,000. The chickens have access to open fields, which Kretschman said improves egg quality. The steady stream of donated produce will serve as a reliable food source for the livestock while helping keep food waste out of landfills.
“I recognized that a portion of donated food was going to end up as waste because of the nature of food spoilage. But chickens and pigs love this food. It’s still nutritious to them,” Kretschman said in a news release. “I figured we could feed it to them and basically recycle out-of-date produce into new eggs, which we could donate back to the food bank. It’s not a new concept, but it’s always a good one.”
Warminster Food Bank Executive Director Michael Cerino said the partnership reflects both organizations’ commitment to conservation and community service.
“We are grateful for this partnership with Hidden Valley Farm,” Cerino said. “This initiative is an excellent example of conservation and sustainability, demonstrating the commitment of both of our organizations to community service and responsible resource management.”
The Warminster Food Bank, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves more than 650 families each month in Bucks and eastern Montgomery counties through donations from individuals and businesses. Donations and volunteers are welcome. More information is available at www.warminsterfoodbank.org.
