Local Shares show Raleigh Cares

Raleigh resident, Kelli Pfitzner, has served her community for over twenty-years. Her philanthropic efforts began with the non-profit, Bridge the Gap, which recently dissolved in the summer of 2022. Bridge the Gap catered to the inner-city community with programs like the Food Pantry, Dress for Success, and Computer Education for the Elderly.

Upon the closing of Bridge the Gap, Kelli was worried about the needs that would go unfulfilled in her community.

The Produce Project is centered on the idea of the community:

The community of sharing.

In partnership with the Farmer's Market's agricultural vendors, The Produce Project purchases wholesale quantities of fresh produce. Volunteers sort each shipment and put into crates called "Shares." Subscribers or one-time purchases can be made of Shares that cost $18 and are an average of twenty-five pounds of produce. Each Share that is purchased creates another that is donated and available at various locations in the Raleigh area for families in need.

Alongside their mission of fresh, quality food for everyone, The Produce Project has a complementary program, Oak City Plate, with dietician students at Meredith College. Oak City Plate creates menus and recipes based on what products are included in the week's Share and teaches the recipients how to feed themselves nutrient-rich meals.