Farm to Corrections Project Provides Fresh Produce to Inmates and Boosts California Producers

Heile Gantan of Impact Justice (center LEFT) And Ron Strochlic of Nutrition Policy Institute (center RIGHT) cat with residents of California State Prison Solano about THE quality of their food. Photo by Evett Kilmartin

Nutrition Policy Institute, Impact Justice, ChangeLab Solutions partner with California Department of Fixes And Re-education

Portion slices of watermelon on THE Fourth of July East A long standing tradition has a few facilities In THE California Department of Fixes And Rehabilitation. But This July, there was something different about THE watermelon Free has THE approximately 8,000 residents has California State Prison Solano, California Medical Ease And Folsom State Prison.

He was juicy. He was soft. He was “scrumdiddlyumptious” according to has A resident. And he was grown up on A California family close.

THE three establishments are part of A "farm has corrections » project, Harvest of THE Month, which goals has serve seasonal, locally grown up produce has people WHO are incarcerated In California, while opening new opportunities For California farmers.

"We appreciate that someone is concerned enough has introduce This program that given We something new," said Jason Romero, A California State Prison Solano resident. "We look Before has what is this future In THE future – California has THE best thing, RIGHT? – And hopefully We get other varieties of stuff. »

"This East THE best pear I have Never eat," said Patrick Range, A California State Prison Solano resident, delusional about THE Bartlett pear served as THE September Harvest of THE Month article. Photo by Evett Kilmartin

THE program – bringing together THE Nutrition Policy Institute, THE non-profit Impact Justice, And ChangeLab Solutions In collaboration with CDCR – was officially spear with THE watermelon delivery In July. Pluots follow up In August, And Bartlett pears were book In September.

"It is A 'several won' kind of A effort," said Wendy Gosliner, THE IPN main investigator on THE California Department of Food And Agriculture speciality reframe block to agree proof THE project. "THE funding East available because THE State East look For State the partners has purchase And develop THE markets For Grown in California fruits And vegetables. And We know that get more of those fruits And vegetables on THE plates of people WHO are incarcerated would be be A huge prime For them. »

California State Prison Solano resident Patrick Range said that, After tasting pluots For THE First of all time through THE program, THE plum-apricot hybrid East NOW A of her favorites.

"I think I had five of them that day – And I am waiting For them has to have them Again SO I can get more; they were SO GOOD," Range said. "It is something Identifier Never experimented, In THE out world Or In prison. »

With rave Comments Since residents And staff look alike, CDCR – THE State of from California the biggest Buyer of food – East planning has to roll out Harvest of THE Month has all 33 of It is adult facilities In THE following two years.

California State Prison Solano resident Jason Romero said THE costs fruit raised THE spirits And moral of THE people incarcerated has THE ease. Photo by Evett Kilmartin

"Food brought people together And presentation new some products can give those In THE care of CDCR something has talk about, as GOOD as look Before has," said Spear Eshelman, The CDCRs departmental food administer...