CONCORD — White Pony Express aims to chip away at food insecurity in the East Bay by finding ways to get surplus — yet high-quality — food into the hands of those who need nutritious sustenance.
Since 2013, it has been working to obtain excess food from operators such as grocery stores, restaurants, farmer’s markets and wholesalers. The East Bay nonprofit believes that little by little, it can become one of those organizations that can make a difference in the battle against hunger.
“We try to connect food abundance in Contra Costa County with those in great need of healthy and nutritious food,” said White Pony Express Chief Executive Officer Eve Birge.
With some economists suggesting that food supplies are abundant, one key solution to fighting hunger is finding ways to deliver available products to those most in need.
“Through White Pony Express’ Food Rescue Program, we solve the logistical challenge facing food markets — what to do with surplus fresh food — by rescuing and delivering it,” the nonprofit says.
The Concord-based nonprofit has created a network to make these connections more efficient.
“Our Food Rescue Program recovers a daily average of 12,000 pounds of high-quality food from grocers, farmers markets, restaurants, and wholesalers,” the nonprofit states on its website.
All fresh food donations are provided free of charge, according to White Pony Express. The nonprofit operates seven days a week.
“We customize each delivery to match the preferences of 98 nonprofit recipients,” the nonprofit states.
In 2013, Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, a psychologist, teacher, and the spiritual director of Sufism Reoriented, an American spiritual school, founded White Pony Express.
Conner, who passed away in 2023, launched the nonprofit out of concern that despite the nation’s bumper crops of plenty, thousands suffer from hunger and even greater numbers must cope with unhealthy or inadequate diets.
“The idea is to provide food to those who don’t have the resources,” Birge said. “We try to rescue all kinds of food, anything that might otherwise go into a dumpster or items that are close to their sell-by dates.”
White Pony Express also scouts for available food from unusual sources such as culinary schools.
“We want anybody with surplus food to know about us and our pick-up services,” Birge said. “This way there is less food simply being thrown out and rotting in landfills.”
The nonprofit also attends farmer’s markets in Brentwood, Walnut Creek, Moraga and Concord to find additional food sources.
“Farmers come to these markets from all over, including from the Central Valley,” Birge said. “Each time we go to a farmer’s market, there are probably 10 to 12 produce vendors who supply us with food.”
After gathering the surplus food, the nonprofit’s workers and volunteers bring it to its distribution centers.
“The volunteers sort through the food to make sure it’s of the highest quality,” Birge said. “We sort it by the preferences of the people receiving the food that day.”
Antioch Unified School District is among the recipients of the nonprofit’s efforts to bring food to those in need. Lindsay Lopez-Wisely, the district’s director of secondary education, believes White Pony Express is making a significant difference.
“We are seeing more struggles for families these days, with inflation, high food prices,” Lopez-Wisely said. “We are very grateful for our partnership with White Pony Express.”
The nonprofit’s food endeavors also draw praise from recipients such as Antioch schools because of their quality.
“Meat, bread, produce, eggs, there is such a variety that we receive through White Pony Express,” Lopez-Wisely said. “The food is fresh and it’s such high quality. A lot of it is organic and healthy.”
White Pony Express has set up school pantries at 16 locations in Contra Costa County. At least 80% of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches through the pantries, which operate on a school campus once or twice a week.
“I know what my daughter gets for lunch and sometimes it’s not as nutritious as it could be,” Birge said.
White Pony Express has also taken steps to expand its facilities.
“We are now in a new location in Concord with more refrigerator space,” Birge said. “We can refrigerate more food and offer more.”
In uncertain and uncomfortable economic times, White Pony Express’ services may become even more necessary as a way to match surplus food with those who need sustenance.
“We are trying to make a difference for people,” Birge said. “We hope to give our lowest-income neighbors access to high-quality food.”
THE SHARE THE SPIRIT SERIES
Share the Spirit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated by the East Bay Times, The Mercury News and Bay Area News Group that provides relief, hope and opportunities for East Bay residents by raising money for nonprofit programs in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
WISH
Donations will help White Pony Express expand its 16-school School Pantry Program and begin to reduce its 70-agency waitlist. The program, which currently serves 35,000 children, provides fresh, wholesome, ready-to-eat food at schools where 80% or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Goal: $10,000
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