Fresh Variety Offered Through Klein’s Partnership

“So good to see you! What is your produce choice tonight?” asks Joey Moore, Pantry Director. She points to a large board where the produce choices for the week are listed in English, Spanish, Arabic, and accompanied with a picture. This is one of the first questions you’ll hear when you arrive at Barb Food Mart on a Thursday night.

“When we surveyed families in the spring the biggest request was more fresh produce. We’ve worked really hard to find ways to meet that need,” said Joey.

This year Barb Food Mart partnered with Klein’s Quality Produce to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables for distribution. Purchasing locally grown produce means fresh produce that is full of flavor! No single fruit or vegetable offers all of the necessary nutrients, and every family has individual tastes and preferences. “At Barb Food Mart, offering families a wide variety of choices is extremely important,” said Joey.

Throughout the Northern Illinois growing season some of the choices purchased from Klein’s included: cauliflower, kohlrabi, cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, eggplant, and more!

“Working with Matt Klein was really rewarding. We loved being able to share the family’s responses to receiving such high quality gorgeous produce,” said Joey.

Klein’s Quality Produce is a family-owned farm that has been in operation since 1966. Located just 15 miles from Barb Food Mart in Burlington, IL, Klein’s Quality Produce offers choices that change monthly from June through October.

We value community partners! If you are a local farmer and would like to partner with Barb Food Mart, please email us at barbfoodmart@d428.org.