Rock Island, Illinois — The Palomares Social Justice Center is pleased to announce the launch of its weekly Produce Pop-Ups at St. John's Lutheran Church. Starting this Sunday, June 30, from 4-5:30 pm (or until produce runs out), community members are invited to join them for an enriching experience that combines access to fresh produce with a communal meal. These pop-ups aim to provide fresh, locally grown produce and a nutritious meal at no cost to individuals and families. No ID is needed to participate.
The Produce Pop-Ups are designed to support individuals and families, promote healthy eating habits, and foster a sense of community. Attendees are welcome to enjoy both the community meal and the fresh produce distribution. However, participation is flexible—community members are welcome to come just for the meal, just to receive produce, or to enjoy both.
The produce for these events is sourced from the Floreciente Community Garden, local growing organizations, and generous backyard growers. In addition to the meal and produce, educational information about the produce will be available, including recipes, how-to cards, and other healthy eating resources. These resources, provided by Illinois Extension’s SNAP-Ed program, aim to help community members make the most of the fresh produce and incorporate it into their daily diets.
Located in the heart of Rock Island at 4501 7th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201, the Palomares Social Justice Center is dedicated to cultivating not only healthy eating habits but also strong community ties. Through our initiatives, we provide fresh produce to local families and create a space for all to enjoy.
"Community starts around fresh food. Come be part of our history as we aim to distribute 3,000 pounds of fresh produce this summer,” says Sam Wright, Director of Palomares Social Justice Center.
For more information, please contact Sam Wright at palomares.sjc.ri@gmail.com or call (309) 786-6202.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Tayler Louscher, SNAP-Ed educator at Illinois Extension: (309) 756-9978 or email twheatle@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.