Federal Way School District families in need will be able to pick up a free Farmers to Families food box each Thursday from May 28 through June 11.
FWPS is working with Pacific Coast Fruit Co., to help distribute boxes as part of the $24.8 million contract the company received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to distribute food to people in need in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. The food boxes as part of the federal Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program. USDA will purchase and distribute up to $3 billion of agricultural products to those in need across the nation.
Pacific Coast Fruit will box 12 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables and 8 million pounds of dairy, eggs, and protein.
In total, the company has prepared 810,000 boxes beginning May 18 through June 30, reaching 135,000 people every week, including food insecure families who need it most, according to their website.
Additional nonprofit partners include the Food Lifeline/Feeding Washington (which encompasses over 500 food banks in the State of Washington), Tacoma Public Schools, Kent Public Schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, Meals on Wheels, and many more.
Federal Way School District families in need can pick up one box of fresh food per household per week, according to a district website post. The boxes are prepackaged by the Oregon-based Pacific Coast Fruit, which has a warehouse in Kent and one in Portland. The district has no authority over what is included in each box.
The distribution will not operate as a drive-thru pick-up, instead families are required to carry their box from the pickup location to the parking lot. Boxes weigh approximately 25-30 pounds and FWPS district recommends bringing a cart to help transport the box.
Three different boxes are available to choose from. Please help feed as many school district families as possible by choosing one box.
* Produce box: Consists of apples, oranges, strawberries, potatoes, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, romaine lettuce and carrots.
* Dairy box: Consists of eggs, 2% milk, non-fat milk, half & half, butter, yogurt, cheddar and jack cheese.
* Combo box: Consists of packaged deli ham and chicken, butter, 2% milk, cheddar and jack cheese, romaine lettuce, potatoes and onions
School pick-up sites for food boxes
Thursday, May 28 between 10 a.m. – noon (or as long as supplies last)
Thursday, June 4 between 10 a.m. – noon (or as long as supplies last)
Thursday, June 11 between 10 a.m. – noon (or as long as supplies last)
Pickup location information
Boxes are limited to one box per week per FWPS family at any of the following locations:
Decatur High School, 2800 SW 320th St., Federal Way, WA 98023
Federal Way High School, 30611 16th Ave S., Federal Way, WA 98003
Todd Beamer High School, 35999 16th Ave. S., Federal Way, WA 98003
Thomas Jefferson High School, 4248 S. 288th St., Auburn, WA 98001
Frequently asked questions
* When will the distribution of boxes begin?
Distribution of the boxes will begin Thursday, May 28.
* Can I pick up more than box?
Pacific Coast Fruit Co., is providing boxes for Federal Way School District families (1 per household).
No large orders are being accepted to pick up for multiple households.
No pre-orders of boxes are being accepted for these free fresh food boxes.
* What if I have questions about the nutritional contents of the box I received?
Please contact Maggie Brooks at mlbrooks@pcfruit.com with questions about the contents and nutritional components of the boxes.
* Do I have to show ID or proof my child attends Federal Way School District?
No. Other than one per household, there are no stipulations for families to receive a box. All who show up can receive an available box.
If you need meal support, please click here to learn more about local resources.
* Will this program continue through the summer?
The current contract with Pacific Coast Fruit ends in June.
