For low-income families, fresh fruits and vegetables are often out of reach. Either they’re too expensive, or they’re not available nearby.
QVC has joined with the Chester County Food Bank to help change this for residents of Chester County, Pa., home of QVC’s world headquarters.
QVC recently became the exclusive premier sponsor of the Fresh2You mobile market. This bright yellow truck brings fresh produce, healthy food staples and nutrition education directly to underserved communities in Coatesville, Honey Brook, Parkesburg, Oxford, Kennett and West Chester. The food bank launched the Fresh2You mobile market in mid-July at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at QVC Studio Park in West Chester.
“There is such satisfaction that comes from planting a seed, nurturing it, and watching it grow,” said QVC host Carolyn Gracie at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Even more satisfaction comes from sharing the fruits of your labor with family and friends. And it’s truly an honor to be able to share these gifts of the earth with those who are less fortunate, many of whom, unbeknownst to you, may live in your own neighborhood.”
QVC has been a strong supporter of the Chester County Food Bank since it opened in 2009, through corporate giving, food donations, employee volunteerism and our QGarden employee garden.
Even in relatively affluent Chester County, one in every 14 families goes hungry every day. “Chester County is a large county and a county of wealth,” said Anne Schuniak, Chester County Food Bank’s Manager of Community Engagement and Marketing. “But in every county of wealth is a pocket of poverty.”
In addition to providing convenient fresh produce at affordable prices, the Fresh2You mobile market helps customers shopping with food assistance benefits to stretch their food budgets by offering the DOUBLE DOLLARS Program. Shoppers using their SNAP/EBT or Farmers’ Market Nutrition vouchers receive a dollar-for-dollar match on all purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh2You also offers fun, cooking-related incentives to encourage all shoppers to choose nutritious food options.
QVC has been a strong supporter of the Chester County Food Bank since it opened in 2009, through corporate giving, food donations, employee volunteerism and our QGarden employee garden. The food bank is the county’s central hunger relief organization, distributing over 2.65 million pounds of food through its network of food cupboards, hot meal sites, shelters and other social service organizations. Thanks in part to harvests from the QGarden, over 33% of this food is fresh produce.
“QVC has partnered with the Chester County Food Bank to effectively and thoughtfully fill a need for food here in Chester County,” said U.S. Congressman Ryan Costello. “I was proud to be part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a partnership that harnesses local resources to help those in need.”
Pa. State Senator Tom Killion called QVC and the Chester County Food Bank “tremendously important community leaders.”
“For them both to team up to raise awareness and prevent hunger is great service to our community,” Killion said. “I am glad to join the team to help make sure all families have access to affordable and nutritious foods.”