Lipman Family Farms donates produce to Harry Chapin Food Bank

Reporter: Rachel Cox-Rosen Writer: Melissa Montoya
Published: Updated:
Limpan Family Farms (CREDIT: WINK News)

A large Southwest Florida business has a heart for giving and is making sure people who rely on the Harry Chapin Food Bank for food on their tables are getting more than canned goods.

Lipman Family Farms has come a long way since Jaime Weisinger’s family started farming decades ago.

“My grandfather and his two brothers started farming here in the area back in the 60s when they couldn’t buy enough tomatoes and so they just decided to start their own farm here and we’ve grown ever since,” said Weisinger, who is director of community and government relations for the farm.

They’re now the largest open field tomato grower in the U.S., but they see themselves as more than that.

“We don’t see our company as mere assets as farm equipment and desks and chairs,” Weisinger said. “We see our company as a living breathing entity … a part of the community.”

In keeping with that sense of community, philanthropy is a core part of their philosophy. That’s why they partner with the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.

“People could be one paycheck away from not being able to feed themselves and their family,” Weisinger said. “And Harry Chapin has shown us that they have the ability to make sure those people get food.”

Over the years, they’ve become a major contributor to the food bank, donating thousands of dollars while also making sure the families Harry Chapin serves can get fresh produce.

“If we have any surplus food or anything that we deem unmarketable or something that our customers wouldn’t take, and all we need to do is make one call and they send a truck over and pick it up and it’s in people’s hands within the next day or two,” Weisinger said. “It means a lot to us to be able to make sure that those folks the people that need the food are able to get it.”

WINK News is raising funds for Harry Chapin Food Bank this month as part of our WINK Feeds Families March to a Million Meals. We are asking for your help to raise  $400,000 by March 1.

If you are interested in donating, go to WINKFeedsFamilies.com.

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