A volunteer assists two attendees with their items at Produce Tuesday on July 11 at the Food Shelf on South Valley Street. The event, hosted by the New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf and Second Harvest Food Bank, provided several different types of food items to attendees regardless of income or where they're from.

NEW ULM– The New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf and Second Harvest Food Bank held their second Produce Tuesday of the year at the Food Shelf on South Valley Street July 11.

The event featured produce, meats, and baked goods Second Harvest delivered same day to ensure freshness. The event seeks to feed people of any status and income and provide them with the goods they need.

Executive Director Brad Kirk said this year marks the 8th anniversary of the program’s beginning. He said the program started due to an abundance from Second Harvest.

“About eight years ago, second harvest was getting too much produce in their warehouse,” Kirk said. “They offered to distribute it before it was spoiled. At that time we were ‘Yeah, we’ll try it.’ [At first] it started in April and went to November because we were the only one doing it. Now more food shelves are doing it so the availability is getting less, so our timeframe is less.”

A benefit Kirk has identified is the anonymity provided to those who participate. Unlike the regular food shelf, Produce Tuesday does not ask for the names of those who come.

“We get a lot of seniors here that don’t normally come to the food shelf that would probably qualify. All we do is ask them their age and how many in the household and that’s it. They’re more apt to come in when we’re not asking their name. Some of them have too much pride to come to the food shelf, so this is one way to help them.”

“This is not limited to New Ulm,” Kirk said when asked about misconceptions with Produce Tuesday. “It’s [offered] to anybody who needs help and there’s no limit on income. Do you have good income but can’t make it through the month? You can come down.”

For the benefits of running the event, Kirk pointed out how many volunteers there were and the motivation they have to give back to the community.

“[We have] around like 10 or 15 volunteers and they’re all here because they want to help,” he said. “Right now I got [Produce Tuesday] up front. I have nutrition assistance program for seniors going out back here so they’ve got people going to get the food [as well]. They’re all doing it because they want to volunteer and help people.”

Produce Tuesday runs from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month from June to October at the Food Shelf on South Valley Street. August 8 will be their next opening. For more information, go to www.newulmfoodshelf.com or the New Ulm Mobile Food Shelf Facebook page.