Key facts
- A Seattle food bank is experiencing an increase in produce donations.
- Retailers are struggling to sell produce due to consumer fear of cyclospora contamination.
- The food bank has received offerings of prepared salad greens and cut watermelon.
- The food bank adheres to strict quality standards and does not distribute recalled items.
The West Seattle Food Bank has observed an increase in produce donations, including salad greens and cut watermelon, amid consumer apprehension related to the cyclospora outbreak. Robbin Peterson, the development director, stated that retailers are finding it harder to sell these items, leading to more donations through their "grocery rescue" program. This program typically sources surplus food from grocery stores and wholesalers. Peterson emphasized that the food bank maintains high quality standards and does not distribute any products that are part of a recall or otherwise unfit for consumption. The food bank operates a "modified market" system, allowing clients to select their own food, and has a process for composting any produce that cannot be distributed before its sell-by date. Peterson noted that past lettuce recalls have made consumers more fearful of fresh produce.