By Olimpia Theodoli | Project Manager
Dear Friends,
Every single year, tons of perfectly fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and other nutritious vegetables are thrown away in southeast Crete, which is home to one of the largest greenhouse farming areas in Europe. This happens simply because they are the wrong size or shape for commercial sale. At the exact same time, skyrocketing inflation means fresh produce has become completely unaffordable for destitute families, refugees, and single mothers. To us, letting fine vegetables rot while families go hungry is completely unacceptable.
That is why we launched the Tomato Express 8 years ago. Thanks to our first 5 incredible donors and amazing community solidarity, we have already successfully rescued and distributed 550 kilograms of fresh produce this year alone! Local greenhouse farmers who hate seeing their hard work and expenses wasted are donating this visually flawed but perfectly healthy food. Even better, our community has stepped up to donate the shipping boxes and transport, meaning every single euro you give goes directly toward the core operations of this rescue mission. Normally, packing and handling costs about 2 euros for an 8 kilogram box of vegetables. Because our community is covering those costs right now, we have a massive, unique opportunity to grow.
We are incredibly close to crossing the finish line, with only 657 euros remaining to fully fund our goal. If our donors step up to give this final amount today, it will allow us to reach out to new greenhouse farmers across the region. By building partnerships with more farms, we can scale up our operations, rescue thousands of additional kilograms of wasted food, and ensure that every destitute family, refugee center, and struggling mother in Crete receives the fresh, healthy nutrition they deserve.
Let us stop wasting and start feeding. Thank you for helping us bring health, dignity, and solidarity to Crete.
With heartfelt gratitude, The Crete For Life Team
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