Lillian Krozova’s organization, Food Forward, rescues fresh local produce that would otherwise go to waste, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same. Their object is to harvest food, fight hunger and build community.
They are a volunteer-powered, grassroots group of Southern Californians who are passionate about reconnecting to our food system, promoting issues of food justice, and making changes to reduce hunger in our community.
The organization works at private properties, public spaces, and farmers and wholesale markets to recover excess fruits and vegetables. They 100% to local direct-service agencies who feed our community’s most vulnerable. In our area they donate to Union Station and Foothill Unity. Combined, their diverse distribution partners provide food to over 100,000 clients a month across Southern California.
Food Forward has 6000 volunteers harvesting fruit from over 1000 properties in Southern California. This back yard harvesting nets 2.1 million pounds of produce a year.
Though Food Forward has only been around for about six years, it has only been collecting at farmers markets for three. It has already collected and distributed 8.6 million pounds of fresh produce. The farmers market program alone has accounted for 650,000 pounds.
Anyone who has excess fruit on their property or would like to volunteer as a food donor or as a collector should contact the organization at foodforward.org.