TUCSON - Citrus trees are abundant in Southern Arizona. Many citizens have them in their own backyard. But are they going to waste?
Shortly after the sun rises and before the Arizona heat sets in, the Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting network is preparing to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to refugees.
"Much of this fruit goes to waste and we're trying to raise awareness about the local food system put an end to food waste and increase security with the fruits and vegetables that we grow in the city," said Iskash*taa founder Barbara Eiswerth.
Eiswerth said they mainly harvest fruits and vegetables in people's backyards, where they often get wasted.
Fabien Chidandali is a refugee from Congo.
He, like most of the refugees who receive food, also volunteers for the organization.
"To get fruits you have to get money and then as a refugee we don't have money to pay for fruits when we benefit from fruits that's good for our families," said Chidandali.
"One of the reasons the refugees are attracted to doing this work is they want to contribute. They have found safety and security here in Tucson and this is a way they can give back, not accept a hand out but give a helping hand for their families and their community," said Eiswerth.
The organization has given more than 300,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables since 2002, feeding more than 1,000 refugees.
For more information go to www.iskashitaa.org.
