A Family Legacy of Healthy Food at State Garden More than 75 years ago, when the basement of Faneuil Hall was home to the largest produce market in Boston, Giovanni DeMichaelis began selling his hand-washed celery hearts under the business name State Garden. Today, the Chelsea-based company sells healthy, organic produce all over the U.S and Canada—mostly under its brand name, Olivia’s Organics—and is a major supporter of The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB). Since 2001, State Garden has donated over 1.1 million pounds of healthy food to GBFB, consisting mostly of celery, spinach and organic salad mix. GBFB member agency Hanson Food Pantry, based in Hanson, MA, received a capacity grant for the purchase of a new box truck. Your Donations Help Our Agencies Grow As The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) continues to increase the amount of fresh produce we distribute, we strive to ensure our agencies can order, store and distribute this much-needed food. Part of GBFB’s strategy to create a hunger free Eastern Massachusetts is to increase capacity at our member agencies, so they can continue to grow alongside us and meet the need in their communities. In 2013, GBFB launched a capacity grant program to fund improvements in transportation, refrigeration and other operational areas at our more than 500 member agencies. Over the span of this program we’ve awarded over $627,000 in support of over 162 different projects. “We’re only as strong as our on-the- ground partners’ ability to reach food- insecure people in their own commu- nities,” said GBFB Senior Director of Distribution Services Jonathan Tetrault. GBFB.org/get-involved LEARN MORE AT Everyone has a role in ending hunger in our community.® 4 “My father instilled in us the importance of giving back,” said Mark DeMichaelis, third-generation CEO of the family-run business. “And we recognize the importance of helping people eat healthier.” When the food pantry at Mass General Hospital in Chelsea expanded to serve more patients two years ago, it sought support from local businesses. State Garden answered the call by donat- ing fresh produce items. This effort, along with help from GBFB and other local businesses, resulted in a 75 percent increase in the number of patients the pantry served weekly. “Between the donated produce and the financial support we receive through the Olivia’s Organics Children’s Foundation, State Garden is an exemplary partner,” said Catherine D’Amato, GBFB president and CEO. “They’re steadfast supporters of our mission to get healthy food to hungry people and end hunger here.” Photo: Mark DeMichaelis (far right) volunteers with his children (L to R: Olivia, John and Mark) to help sort food at GBFB. Olivia was also this year's honoree at GBFB’s annual Women Fighting Hunger breakfast. The event raised enough to provide almost 950,000 meals to those in need. “This program ensures we’re strength- ening the entire hunger-relief network in our area.” Last year was our biggest year to date, as we gave out over $138,000 to fund 34 projects. This included every- thing from new shelving and refrigera- tors to new delivery trucks. “Our old truck would not have passed inspection, it was beyond fixing,” said Jason Thomson of the Hanson Food Pantry, which received $10,000 from GBFB for the purchase of a new box truck. “The grant money allowed us to put our drivers in a reliable vehicle and receive more healthy food for our clients.” “We’re extremely grateful for our partnership with the GBFB,” Jason said. “They are always there for us.”