Last month, Brookshire Grocery Company delivered 40,000 pounds of fresh produce to the East Texas Food Bank’s Tyler Resource Center, providing a welcome boost to families just in time for Thanksgiving. The donation included tomatoes, bananas, apples, oranges, and cabbages – enough to provide approximately 30,000 meals across the East Texas region.
David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank, expressed gratitude for the donation, calling it “huge” for the community. “Brookshire has always been a great partner for the food bank, and leading into the holidays, this is such a special time when people will gather with their families,” he said. “Having fresh fruits and vegetables available is going to be tremendous for families in need here in East Texas.”
This contribution is part of Brookshire’s 43rd annual Spirit of Christmas Food Drive, which collects non-perishable items through December 17th at Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Spring Market, and Fresh by Brookshire’s stores. For the first time, the company partnered with local growers to directly donate fresh produce, demonstrating its commitment to promoting healthy eating and supporting the East Texas community.
“We want to provide fresh, nutritious produce to help people eat healthily and fill their plates,” said Roger Harkrider, Vice President of Produce at Brookshire Grocery Company. “We’ve partnered with quality growers who share our values and wanted to give back to the communities that support us daily.”
The donation aligns with the East Texas Food Bank’s mission to fight hunger and ensure 50% of its distributed food is nutritious. “This generous contribution helps us achieve that goal,” Emerson added. Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in East Texas, with rates above the national average. In 2022, 16.9% of East Texans faced food insecurity compared to 13.5% nationally. Some counties, such as Upshur and Henderson, reported rates exceeding 17%, with many residents struggling to meet eligibility thresholds for SNAP benefits. Rising meal costs, which increased to $3.99 nationally last year, have only intensified the challenge.
The East Texas Food Bank serves 26 counties from Red River to Angelina, with resource centers in Tyler, Texarkana, Lufkin, and Longview. These centers provide food assistance, health screenings, and resources to help people in need, including SNAP application assistance and cooking demonstrations for healthy meals. To learn more about their services or how to support their efforts, visit easttexasfoodbank.org.
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