Apples, peppers and zucchini, oh my: Produce truck deliveries a highlight at OrrVilla

Linda Hall
·4 min read

ORRVILLE — A truck rarely draws the kind of enthusiasm it generates weekly at OrrVilla's Evergreen Place in Orrville. It even has its own parking space on  mornings reserved for it, with a chair marking the spot.

The 2024 Ford E-350 truck with a 15-footbox is used by the non-profit organization A Whole Community Inc. to deliver farm produce to food pantries, free meal sites, senior communities, low income neighborhoods and other sites throughout the county.

The truck, equipment and program costs were paid for by grants − $26,000 from the Austin-Bailey Foundation, $25,000 from the Laura B. Frick Charitable Trust and $26,000 through the Wayne County Community Foundation.

"We are very appreciative all the funding organizations or individuals who give," A Whole Community Inc. Executive Director Karen Potter said.

A Whole Community encourages community members and agencies to contribute what they can in skills, knowledge, money, time or resources.

Charles Runion carries in vegetables for residents at OrrVilla's Evergreen Place while Thomas Foster unloads the truck. A Whole Community encourages community members and agencies to contribute what they can in skills, knowledge, money, time or resources as it brings fresh produce to those in need.
Charles Runion carries in vegetables for residents at OrrVilla's Evergreen Place while Thomas Foster unloads the truck. A Whole Community encourages community members and agencies to contribute what they can in skills, knowledge, money, time or resources as it brings fresh produce to those in need.

"All have something of value to share," she said, including individuals who receive the produce. They volunteer their time and share ideas on how to improve the program.

"(The truck) was a miracle," said Julie Amstutz, office manager for Evergreen Place and OrrVilla Manor. "Our people were praying."

The nonprofit agency's former truck, a 2007 Ford box truck, was "coming apart at the seams" and repeatedly welded back together, Potter said.

The truck "is an integral part of what we're doing," said AWC board president Charles Runion.

When he arrived to unload the truck on a recent Wednesday morning, residents were ready.

OrrVilla Evergreen Place resident Janet Berg grabs a handful of freshly picked green beans for a meal.
OrrVilla Evergreen Place resident Janet Berg grabs a handful of freshly picked green beans for a meal.

'Only the best for Orrville'

"Lookie there − only the best for Orrville," Runion quipped as he unloaded sweet corn, organic onions, a mountain of green beans, zucchini, green peppers, cauliflower and more. "Buckeye Gala apples − top of the line."

"We have a lot of variety, " Potter said, adding one farmer grew a half acre of sweet corn for A Whole Community. "Otherwise, we purchase (produce) from farmers and can get what people are wanting."

Bring freezer bags and anticipate "a total blowout" of products at the end of the season, Runion advised the residents gathered in the community room of Evergreen Place.

The season runs during the summer until Oct. 11 and begins again the first week of July.

"God is good. God is good all the time," he told them.

Residents at OrrVilla Evergreen Place pick out fresh vegetables to take home for meals. A Whole Community delivers farm produce to food pantries, free meal sites, senior communities, low income neighborhoods and other sites throughout the Wayne County.
Residents at OrrVilla Evergreen Place pick out fresh vegetables to take home for meals. A Whole Community delivers farm produce to food pantries, free meal sites, senior communities, low income neighborhoods and other sites throughout the Wayne County.

Bringing bags and boxes to carry the produce

"People bring their bags and boxes," Amstutz said, although they are "encouraged to go a little bit easy and take what they can use."

What is left on the evening of delivery day is put on a "free table," resident assistant Marie Schartiger said.

"It is always fresh, and it really tastes good," said resident Janet Berg.

"Apples, melons and pears are the first to go," Amstutz said. "They are so appreciative. We have a good turnout."

The produce comes with recipes, ranging from roasted butternut squash soup and grilled corn hummus tostadas to spaghetti sauce.

Pat Sheffer, who helps distribute produce from A Whole Community to a local church for homeless and low-income citizens, said they especially like apples, pears and onions.

Food truck achieves multiple community needs

AWC's community food project in Wayne County is beginning its seventh year. It was initiated in 2016 to meet multiple community needs − reduce food waste, make farm-fresh produce more available in pockets of need, and improve nutrition.

In 2022, AWC began giving the farmers the opportunity to either be paid for part of their produce or donate it for a tax deductible receipt, Potter said in a statement explaining the program.

Originally, farmers donated produce in a container paid for by AWC. As farmers experienced increased costs, AWC began fundraising to pay them for their produce seconds.

Over a six-year time period, AWC has provided 428,492 pounds of produce. In 2022, 37 farms gave 3,363 boxes of fresh produce, sorted and delivered by 32 volunteers, to 40 sites for more than 4,000 recipients from mid-June to mid-October.

Anyone wanting to donate time, money or produce may contact Potter at karen948@gmail.com.

"None of (the produce) is thrown away," Sheffer said.

"We gather; people take care of each other," said Potter. "Everyone is so grateful."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: A Whole Community Inc.'s produce truck delivers to those in need