Irvine, CA – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County hosted a Harvest Solutions Farm volunteer event in Irvine to help harvest seasonal produce so that Orange County residents have consistent access to nutritious food creating a foundation for community health and well-being. Ninety volunteers harvested 7,700 pounds of zucchini and yellow squash that will be distributed to individuals and families served by Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County's distribution network of nearly 400 partners and pantries.
“Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is leading the way in addressing food insecurity and ensuring families across our community have access to fresh, nutritious food,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine). “I’m proud to host volunteer events at Harvest Solutions Farm for my constituents to support this important mission. While community partnerships like this make a tremendous difference, we must also ensure our state budget reflects our commitment to California families. I will continue fighting for investments that strengthen food security and help ensure no family goes hungry.”
Since the launch in August 2021, Harvest Solutions Farm has produced over 9.1 million pounds of fresh, nutritious produce that has been distributed to those experiencing food and nutrition insecurity in our community. Each week, Harvest Solutions Farm harvests between 50,000 to 60,000 pounds of produce, which is distributed within days to people in need throughout Orange County. Harvest Solutions Farm is a collaboration with Solutions for Urban Agriculture and the University of California South Coast Research & Extension Center. Since April 2023, volunteers have helped harvest 100,000 pounds of fresh produce during the Assemblywoman’s Harvest Solutions Farm volunteer events.
###
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris represents California’s 73rd District including Irvine, Tustin and Costa Mesa. She is the Chair of the Utilities and Energy Committee. She is also a member of the Budget Committee; Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee; Insurance Committee; and Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. After working her way through Yale University, where she double majored in Economics and English, Cottie had a successful 20-year career in finance and technology. She helped to build businesses and led teams at Fortune 500 corporations, small companies and start-ups. Follow the Assemblywoman on Instagram (@asmcottie) and Facebook (AssemblywomanCPN).