RALEIGH, NC - Volunteers from Wish Farms, Publix Super Markets, and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina collaborated on a pop-up market to distribute fresh produce—including a 26,880 lb load of Florida strawberries—and present a $10,000 check from the Wish Farms Family Foundation. The event directly helped 760 people, including 278 children and 130 seniors. Overall, the $10,000 donation will help provide an additional 106,740 meals.

“As a supplier of strawberries and pineberries to North Carolina Publix stores, we wanted to introduce ourselves in the local community by making a meaningful impact during the peak of the Florida strawberry season. This project is in perfect alignment with our company values, brand promise, and our family foundation’s vision of a hunger-free America,” said Wish Farms PR Manager Nick Wishnatzki.

In addition to the successful event, produce donations through the Food Bank now have a more efficient way to reach underserved families with the help of a mobile food pantry made possible by a $175,000 donation from Publix Super Markets Charities.

From the day he opened his first Publix, Founder George Jenkins made sure his associates, customers, and community were taken care of, a press release stated. In 1966, he established the charity foundation with the vision it would continue giving long after he was gone.

“Helping provide food to our neighbors in need is at the heart of who we are at Publix,” said Jared Glover, Media Relations Manager for Publix. “We’re thankful to Wish Farms for their support of hunger alleviation efforts in the areas we serve. We’re proud to do good, together.”

Wish Farms has also been supporting hunger relief organizations for many decades. Since 2019, its charitable foundation has made food security a main focus by donating over 1.63 million lbs of fresh berries to central Florida food banks and beyond and awarding over $750,000 in grants.

“We’re grateful to Publix and Wish Farms for their commitment to helping us nourish more neighbors in our 34-county service area,” said Ashley McCumber, President and Chief Executive Officer for the food bank.

Cheers to this philanthropic partnership!