Greater Good Grocery, operated by the Broome County Council of Churches, is hosting its fifth annual Free Produce Day on April 29 sponsored by M&T Bank.
The program was first introduced in 2022 — M&T Bank and Greater Good Grocery have distributed more than 15,000 bags of produce, reaching more than 12,000 community members in the last five years of operation.
When residents on the North Side of Binghamton lost their only grocery store, the idea of Greater Good Grocery was formed with the mission of “providing nutritious and affordable groceries,” Binghamton City Council member Kinya Middleton, who is also the store’s general manager, said in an April 28 interview.
The North Side of Binghamton is not the only area facing food insecurity, according to Middleton, who said, “We notice that there’s other areas” that are still in need of quality food options.
There is no required documentation needed to participate in the program. Those interested can just show up and tell the volunteers how many people are in their household to receive one bag.
Each produce bag has been packaged by M&T employee volunteers with seasonal food items. Produce bags will be distributed while supplies last.
M&T Bank’s partnership with Broome County Council of Churches goes back decades, according to an April 28 statement from an M&T Bank spokesperson. The Council reached out to M&T Bank in 2021 looking for support, and the spokesperson said the bank did not hesitate to step in to help “advance their vision of becoming a sustainable, self‑sufficient resource for local families.”
As the Southern Tier’s first nonprofit organization, Middleton said Greater Good is just beginning to “reap the benefits” of the work that has been put in over the years.
Details for April 29 Free Produce Day
When: 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.
Address: 435 State St., Binghamton.
Can’t make it to this Free Produce Day?
The next Free Produce Day will be May 27, with two time slots. Customers will be able to come in and shop from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 4-6 p.m.
The promotional days are held on the last Wednesday of every month.