Rep. Fishbein and colleagues team up with Cecarelli Farms to provide free, fresh produce

A second, wicked storm that tore through Connecticut was not going to deter State Representatives Craig Fishbein, Vin Candelora, Dave Yaccarino, Joe Zullo, or their colleagues, friends and volunteers from gathering last Friday morning to hand out free, fresh vegetables from Northford’s Cecarelli Farms to Connecticut residents.

Earlier in August, Tropical Storm Isaias forced the postponement of their first planned food distribution event, and a second storm and tornado on Thursday night looked like it might derail their plans again.  Still, despite debris littering the area and public works crews clearing some roads and repairing downed electrical wires, the distribution went on as scheduled and more than 1,000 boxes of fresh, local produce were handed out.

The boxes, each packed with green beans, watermelon, tomatoes, zucchini, corn, lettuce and more, were delivered fresh from Cecarelli Farms to the Connecticut Sportsplex in North Branford.  Participants were able to drive into the Sportsplex parking lot where volunteers placed the produce in the backseat or trunk of their vehicle to limit contact, and maintain safe social distancing.

This wonderful event provided families in the region with free, local fresh produce at a time when many are struggling financially. People from surrounding towns, and many local churches benefited from the event, including more than 35 boxes that were delivered and distributed by a New Haven church group to needy residents of the city.