Christy Porter

Why WE Honor Her

Christy Porter has given literally tons of food to the neediest in this part of the Golden State.  A former photojournalist and daughter of a Kentucky coal miner, Christy began Hidden Harvest in 1997 with very limited resources.  This unique program hires local, low-income farm workers to rescue the food left after growers finish with their fields.  Christy's hidden harvest is the 30 percent or more of field crops that go unpicked due to fluctuating market prices or cosmetic imperfections.  Hidden Harvest has donated nearly 3 million pounds of produce since its inception and serves as many as 10,000 families or more each month through free produce distribution to 61 local agencies and its traditional food bank program. Additionally, more than $25,000 in wages each year goes back into the pockets of the working poor for their harvest labor.  Hidden Harvest also operates "Comida de Mi Abuelita" - "Grandmother's Food" - and MUNCH, Mothers Understanding Nutrition for Children's Health, two programs that help to educate the community about good nutrition.

 From Jimmy Carter

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