Holiday grocery bills are rising, but San Antonio families will get a boost from the 14th annual Harvest from the Heart campaign. Launched by the San Antonio Food Bank, H-E-B, and regional growers, the initiative is distributing over three million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to partner pantries, senior centers, and after-school meal programs.
Public distribution began at 10 a.m. Tuesday, with volunteers and partners working through the holidays to get produce from warehouses to local tables, according to Fox San Antonio.
Food bank reach and the Fresh Produce program
The Harvest from the Heart campaign is part of the San Antonio Food Bank’s Fresh Produce program, which has delivered millions of pounds of fruits and vegetables since 1997 across a multi-county area. The organization serves tens of thousands of people weekly, working with growers and distributors to get seasonal produce into pantries and meal programs. More information is available from the San Antonio Food Bank.
How the campaign is built
Industry coverage highlights the long-standing partnership between H-E-B and the San Antonio Food Bank, noting that the annual Harvest from the Heart campaign has delivered millions of pounds of produce in recent years. Donations from growers, retailers, and food brokers are combined into a holiday effort that quickly moves large volumes of perishable produce into local distribution channels. For a broader industry context, see Produce Processing.
Where to find help or volunteer
Residents looking for a produce distribution nearby or volunteers hoping to pitch in can use the Food Bank’s FRESH TRAK tool or call Client Services at 210-431-8326. Event and volunteer listings outline sign-ups, schedules, and what to bring for both on-site and walk-up distributions, detailed by the San Antonio Food Bank.
Organizers say this seasonal surge of fresh produce is designed to bolster the existing hunger-relief network and give families healthier options over the holidays. With H-E-B, regional farmers and volunteers all in the mix, the Food Bank is betting that a few million pounds of fruits and vegetables will land where they are needed most before the new year arrives.
