Last January, shipments of oranges were halted due to the freeze, resulting in a loss of 144,000 pounds -- 14 percent of the Food Bank’s fresh produce distribution. The Food Bank normally distributes 5,000 – 6,000 pounds of oranges per week for eight months during the year, and scrambled to fill the gap by distributing an increased amount of other fresh produce, such as apples, pears and vegetables.

Volunteers sort and bag oranges using the Food Bank’s new produce conveyor system, which allows for faster sorting and distribution. Oranges and other fresh produce come to the Food Bank through the Farm to Family Program, which is coordinated by the California Association of Food Banks. For more info, visit www.cafarmtofamily.org.