Pantry Express distributes free fruit, vegetables

WOONSOCKET, R.I.—About a ton of fresh fruits and vegetables were taken in minutes from the Neighborhood Pantry Express on Wednesday.

The Express, which provides fruits and vegetables to those in need, kicked off its fourth year with a stop outside Bryan’s Food Pantry on North Main Street.

“The truck came early and we had a relatively small crowd and we had a lot of volunteers, so we were able to bag everything up ahead of the line. I think we were done in 18 minutes flat, which is a record,“ said Jim Dealy of the Neighborhood Pantry Express.

Last year, the Express provided more than 356,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables to eight communities, including more than 61,000 pounds in the Woonsocket area.

“The economy right now is no good. Too many people lost their job. They don’t have too much money and some people get food stamps and don’t have too much money. We need to come here,“ said Antonia Suriel.

To receive the free weekly produce, participants require a produce supplement voucher.

For more information, call the Rhode Island Food Bank at (401) 942-MEAL.