Suffield Food Pantry Receives Fresh-Grown Produce From Prison Garden Program

A newly-opened food pantry in West Suffield got a boost Thursday with a large donation of fresh vegetables from several area correctional facilities.

The Crossroads Food Pantry, based at the , received nearly 300 pounds of cabbage, potatoes, basil, butternut squash, peppers and tomatoes.

Dominic Faretra, church deacon and director of the food pantry, said the facility is self-supporting through grants and donations from area businesses and organizations.

"We're a night food pantry, the only one in the area that's open at night because people have a hard time getting to pantries during the day," Faretra said. "It's wonderful that we could work with the prison program."

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Faretra said the pantry has reached an agreement with FoodShare. "We will soon have a FoodShare truck here Tuesdays in the early afternoon," he said.

Crossroads, which began operation May 3, is open Thursdays from 5-8 p.m.

"It's a little different that we don't have any requirements to come here, whereas the other towns do," Faretra said.

For more information about the food pantry or to make a donation, call 860-668-2271.