Illinois Wesleyan University student Jenny Prochotsky ’16 has organized a project to distribute free fresh produce at pop-up produce stands in west Bloomington’s food deserts. So far more than 3,000 pounds of produce has been collected from the Downtown Bloomington Association Farmers Market and distributed through the generosity of farmers and the efforts of dozens of volunteers. “After studying food justice issues at Illinois Wesleyan, I was interested in putting a real-life framework to the topic by speaking to people who live in the experience,” Prochotsky said. Within one day of deciding to pursue this interest, she had set up the first pop-up stand using produce from the IWU Peace Garden.
As the project developed, Jenny received help from IWU alumni and staff including, Karin McDowell ’00; Cheryl (Baller) Philippi ’81; Michael Gorman ’10, Information Technology Project Analyst; Deborah Halperin, IWU’s Action Research Center Program Coordinator; Admissions Counselor Bobby Castillo ’13, and Manish Mandava ’14.
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- Admissions Counselor Bobby Castillo ’13 on the veggie bike
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- Maria Hannah checks out the free food stand at Washington and Allin streets after she set out fresh produce donated by local farmers, courtesy Bloomingon Pantagraph
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- Illinois Wesleyan University freshman Maria Hanna of Naperville helps two Bloomington women, Domitila Olivares, far right, and Maria Dias, pick out fresh produce, courtesy Bloomingon Pantagraph
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- Illinois State University senior Wendy Dover volunteers with the Farm to Food Pantry project, courtesy Bloomingon Pantagraph