VENTURA COUNTY, CA - An active group of young agriculturalists, better known as the Ventura County Young Farmers and Ranchers, rallied together on Saturday, Sept. 17, to scour Ventura County agricultural fields and harvest excess produce for FOOD Share, Ventura County’s regional food bank.

These budding farmers and ranchers, ages 18 - 35, fanned out across the county gleaning harvests from 20 participating growers, packers, shippers and individuals. At the end of the day, they collected over 33,000 lbs. of fresh produce that FOOD Share will use to feed over 74,500 hungry people each month.

“Our members collected fruits and vegetables from farms in every corner of Ventura County,” said Chris Garmon, State Representative for the Young Farmer and Ranchers of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. “We are proud to partner with FOOD Share and find it gratifying to know that our work helps feed the county’s growing population of hungry people.”

The support of the local agricultural community is nothing new to FOOD Share. The nonprofit agency has come to rely on the generosity of local growers who in 2010, donated close to 3.6 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to the Oxnard based non-profit.

“FOOD Share is very grateful to all members of the local agricultural community, both young and old, for their generous spirit and collective support,” said Bonnie Weigel, FOOD Share CEO. “They are valued partners in the fight against hunger and, by sharing their bountiful harvests, help us feed our hungry friends a greater array of nutritious farm fresh produce.”

Members of the Ventura County Young Farmers and Ranchers are involved in production, banking, business, and many other areas of the agriculture and ranching industries. Through leadership development, networking and volunteer activities, members develop a greater understanding and appreciation the critical role agriculture plays in Ventura County’s history, economy and culture.

About FOOD Share
The food bank distributing millions of pounds of food each year to those in need throughout Ventura County, FOOD Share collects and receives food year-round, distributing through more than 150 pantry partner agencies throughout Ventura County, including Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Oak View, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Somis, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura.

FOOD Share provides food to more than 74,500 people each month countywide through its partner agencies and multiple programs. Programs include the Senior Brown Bag that provides supplemental nutrition to nearly 2,000 low income seniors, home delivered meals and supplemental groceries through the Oxnard and Ventura Senior Nutrition Programs and, the Kids’ Farmers’ Markets, offering nutrition education, healthy recipe preparation and taste testing and a farmers’ market free fresh produce “shopping experience.”

For more information: call (805) 983-7100 or go to http://www.foodshare.com.