JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Dozens of families lined up while in their cars as early as 3 a.m. Saturday around the SEG Technology Center on Edgewood Court to get fresh and healthy produce on the Northside of Jacksonville.
The drive-thru food pantry is part of a partnership between Feeding Northeast Florida and Winn-Dixie to help feed those living in food deserts or who are food insecure.
Annie Maedow and her friend Annie Maryland say searching for food on the Northside is a daily struggle.
"Especially for us senior citizens who don't have a way to get out to the grocery store or have the money to get the vegetables or fruits," Maryland said.
Those who live in food deserts often have limited or no access to grocery stores.
Winn-Dixie is partnering with Feeding Northeast Florida this morning to help feed families on the north side who don't have access to fresh and healthy groceries. Here's a look at their drive-thru pantry @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/qiEQNETHnz
— Alicia Tarancon (@AliciaANJax) September 28, 2019
"Many people in food deserts actually get their groceries from local gas stations or other, like, dollar stores, so they don't have access to that healthy product," Michael Neff, chief operating officer of Feeding Northeast Florida, said.
Neff said 170,000 people are food insecure in Duval County.
That's 1 in every 6 people who have trouble getting access to food.
With the help of Winn-Dixie they're handing out more than 18,000 tons of food to those in need because they say that finding fresh produce in a food desert is difficult.
Feeding Northeast Florida and Winn-Dixie employees filled bags with fresh vegetables, meats, fruits and non-perishable foods that they say is going to help feed more than 300 families.
"We were so happy this morning. It's really great," Maedow said.
Overall, Feeding Northeast Florida told us 250,000 people are food insecure in our area and 75,000 of them are children.
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