Produce on Wheels With-Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.)
Fresh farm to market every week
Please help Borderlands continue to help YOU sign the petition and share with your friends
800 Million Pounds Rescued Since 1994
Dollar for dollar AZ tax credit, up to $800
State of AZ Qualifying Charitable Organization Code: 20938
Hands-on Approach to Produce Rescue
volunteers, the backbone of the work we do at Borderlands
2019/20 (P.O.W.W.O.W.) Produce Season
OVER 32 MILLION POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE RESCUED EACH YEAR
State of Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization Code: 20938
Potpourri for Animals and Composting (P.A.C.)
Finding a Home for Every Pound of Rescued Produce
We Are Produce Rescue!
For the past 25 years Borderlands Produce Rescue has been creating awareness of the importance of rescuing produce through their many initiatives. As one of the leading produce rescue organizations, Borderlands can count on a call from one of their partner organizations when there is an excess of fresh produce. It is because of these relationships, Borderlands has been able to rescue 32 MILLION pounds of fresh produce annually.
Donate $25 and help rescue OVER 2000lbs of fresh produce!
Learn More: Borderlands Produce Rescue
Our Distribution Programs
Borderlands distributes our rescued produce through four of our main programs. With these programs we are able to “recycle” over 32 million pounds of fresh produce annually. Each of our programs are vital to the operation of Borderlands, and allows us to remain connected to the needs of our community and be kind to the environment.
Veggies “R” Us International
Through our Veggies “R” Us program we make fresh produce available for pick-up by community members or organizations internationally. Anyone, whether you live in Mexico, or throughout Arizona, is able to take advantage of this program. All of the agencies and individuals served through Veggis “R” Us must be enrolled with Borderlands.
P.O.W.W.O.W. – Weekly Arizona Markets
Produce on Wheels With-Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.) works with local churches, universities, civic organizations and community groups to host weekend distribution sites. Active weekly markets hosted in Metro Tucson, Metro Phoenix, Sierra Vista, Huachuca City, Arizona City, Maricopa, Casa Grande, Safford and many other cities.
At each site, community members can shop for up to 70lbs of fresh produce for a contribution of just $12.
Community Engagement
Through Produce on Wheels after hours, our newly launched Veterans Exact Thanks (VETs) program and our partnership with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Borderlands is able to ensure that our mission is served by creating opportunities for community members to be engaged on issues of food insecurity, food waste and produce rescue.
How We’re Making a Difference!
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Rescuing Produce & Nourishing Families. One Pound at a Time.
Recycling
We are not always able to distribute all of the produce we rescue. Instead of sending this excess produce to a landfill, Borderlands partners with local ranchers and composting programs to recycle any unusable produce.
During the 2015/2016 produce season 13% of our rescued produce was no longer usable, however 90% of this was sent directly to our recycling partners, and not the landfill.
A message from Mayor Arturo Garino of the City of Nogales
Thank you Mayor Garino for recognizing Borderlands’ hard work and dedication to support the citizens of the City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County.
CNN: Fighting Food Waste at the Border
More than one thousand commercial trucks cross the U.S.-Mexico border in Nogales, Ariz. every day, many of them filled with produce. Much of that food would go to waste if not for the efforts of one nonprofit. Borderlands Produce Rescue saves 32 million pounds of produce annually and redistributes it to families in 24 U.S. states. That’s doing good work!
Borderlands’ vision is keep as much produce out of the landfills as humanly possible, helping our environment and distributing this produce to those in need, helping our community.
CNN honored Borderlands by designating them as “The Big Story”. Watch the Segment.
How we make a difference
Every produce season Borderlands delivers between 30 to 40 million pounds of fresh rescued produce to thousands of families. We are only able to do this work through partnering with amazing host sites each weekend throughout the season. Check out the amazing faces of so many we have helped. Find the closest produce site to you, or better yet contact us to help host your own site!
How you can make a difference
As Borderlands, we are only able to do the work we do because of the contributions of our thousands of supporters. Each week, through participating in our produce distribution programs, our supporters donations help pay for all of the costs of our warehousing, transporting and storing fresh rescued produce. Just in 2015 alone, Borderlands’ trucks drove more than 218,000 miles delivering over 30 million lbs of fresh produce. Your donation today, and your support of our work, will allow us to rescue millions more.
For every $1 we receive from donors, we are able rescue and distribute 35 pounds of fresh and nutritious produce. According to USDA recommendations of 7-9 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, each dollar donated helps supplement 10 healthy meals!
The Next Million Pounds is on You
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Recent Updates
New to P.O.W.W.O.W.
Are you new to the Produce On Wheels With – Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.) one of four programs of Borderlands Produce Rescue? P.O.W.W.O.W. has no qualifications and is offered to everyone regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, citizenship and income or geographic location. All markets will have a pre-packaged produce box drive-thru service (first come first serve)[…]
Saturday, January 9th – 7th Annual P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season (9 Locations)
Welcome to our 7th Annual P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season with 8 markets hosting this Saturday, January 16th. We have implemented a prepackaged drive-thru service to promote the social distance for the COVID-19 pandemic from the hours of 8-11:00am (Unless Specified) and first come first serve. Drive your vehicle to the pre-determined registration area, contribute your $12[…]
Saturday, October 3rd – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Tucson) – Hours: 7-10:00am
Enjoy our drive-thru service at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Tucson. September and October are the months that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as many Arizona host sites. However, enough to continue to support Arizonans as much as possible.[…]
Saturday, October 3rd – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Tucson) – Hours: 7-10:00am
Enjoy our drive-thru service at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Tucson. September and October are the months that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as many Arizona host sites. However, enough to continue to support Arizonans as much as possible.[…]
Saturday, September 26th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Phoenix) – Hours: 6-9:00am
Enjoy our drive-thru service at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Phoenix. September and October are the months that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as many Arizona host sites. However, enough to continue to support Arizonans as much as possible. We[…]
Saturday, September 26th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Phoenix) – Hours: 6-9:00am
Enjoy our drive-thru service at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Phoenix. September and October are the months that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as many Arizona host sites. However, enough to continue to support Arizonans as much as possible. We[…]
Drive Up and Take Away – A Customer Service Program of P.O.W.W.O.W.
Please Note! Borderlands Produce Rescue has been able to sustain the increase of new supporters due to unemployment and/or shortage of groceries at the supermarkets by promoting more social distance from COViD-19, implementing a prepackaged produce box drive thru service at all of our markets. If the P.O.W.W.O.W. market is not accepting online orders due --> Enjoy our drive-thru service at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Tucson. September and October are the months that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as many Arizona host sites. However, enough to continue to support Arizonans as much as possible.[…]Saturday, September 19th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Tucson) – Hours: 7-10:00am
Saturday, September 19th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Tucson) – Hours: 7-10:00am
Enjoy our drive-thru service at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Tucson. September and October are the months that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as many Arizona host sites. However, enough to continue to support Arizonans as much as possible.[…]
Saturday, September 12th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Chandler) – Hours: 6-9:00am
Enjoy our drive-thru service at Corona Baptist Church this Saturday. September and October are the months that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as many Arizona host sites. However, enough to continue to support Arizonans as much as possible. We will[…]
Education Corner: Coronavirus and 5 Questions about Safe Snacking
Spending more time at home almost certainly means more snacking at home. But the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is raising new concerns about our food choices. Are some snacks better – or safer – than others? Coronavirus and 5 Questions about Safe Snacking – by Melanie Newkirk from John Hopkins Medicine To access our previous Education[…]
Saturday, September 5th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Tucson) – Hours: 6-9:00am
Enjoy our drive-thru service at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Tucson this Saturday. September is the month that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as many Arizona host sites. However, enough to continue to support Arizonans as much as possible.[…]
Saturday, September 5th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Tucson) – Hours: 6-9:00am
Enjoy our drive-thru service at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Tucson this Saturday. September is the month that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as many Arizona host sites. However, enough to continue to support Arizonans as much as possible.[…]
Education Corner: Yes, You Need to Wash Your Produce. Here’s How.
Don’t forget to wash your fruits & veggies before you use it, moisture will enhance the growth of bacteria. The Food and Drug Administration recommends washing produce under cold running water, wash your hands before and after you hand the produce too. Scrub with a brush and/or gently rub the produce with your hands, depending[…]
Saturday, August 29th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Chandler) – Hours: 6-9:00am
We are sorry to say St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church had to be cancelled this weekend, please enjoy our drive-thru service at Corona Baptist Church in Chandler this Saturday. August is the month that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as[…]
Saturday, August 29th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Chandler) – Hours: 6-9:00am
We are sorry to say St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church had to be cancelled this weekend, please enjoy our drive-thru service at Corona Baptist Church in Chandler this Saturday. August is the month that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning not as[…]
Saturday, August 22nd – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (Faith Tabernacle) – Hours: 7-10:00am
We are sorry to say that Amado Pros, Crossroads UMC in Phoenix and FBC Scottsdale had to be cancelled this weekend, please enjoy our drive-thru service at Faith Tabernacle this Saturday. August is the month that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning[…]
Saturday, August 15th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (2 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
We are sorry to say that Sonoita Produce On Wheels and Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Phoenix had to be cancelled this weekend, please enjoy the two available markets this Saturday. August is the month that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning[…]
Saturday, August 15th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (2 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
We are sorry to say that Sonoita Produce On Wheels and Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Phoenix had to be cancelled this weekend, please enjoy the two available markets this Saturday. August is the month that we principally rescue our fresh produce from the hydroponic warehouses, not as plentiful and not as many varieties, meaning[…]
Saturday, August 8th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (2 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take Away service tomorrow morning (Saturday), August 1st. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If[…]
Saturday, August 1st – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (St. Luke Lutheran Church – Mesa) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take Away service tomorrow morning (Saturday), August 1st. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If[…]
New to P.O.W.W.O.W.
Are you new to the Produce On Wheels With – Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.) one of four programs of Borderlands Produce Rescue? P.O.W.W.O.W. has no qualifications and is offered to everyone regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, citizenship and income or geographic location. All markets will have a pre-packaged produce box drive-thru service (first come first serve)[…]
Saturday, July 25th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (6 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take Away service tomorrow morning (Saturday), July 25th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If[…]
Saturday, July 25th -P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (6 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take service for this Saturday, July 25th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:00-10:00am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If you[…]
Saturday, July 18th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (4 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take Away service tomorrow morning (Saturday), July 11th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If[…]
Saturday, July 18th -P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season (4 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take service for this Saturday, July 18th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If you[…]
Education Corner: Trico Awards $35,000 in POWER Grants to 6 Non-Profits
Trico, in coordination with the Trico Electric Cooperative Charitable Trust, has awarded $10,000 to Borderlands Produce Rescue one of six non-profit organizations providing critical services in Southern Arizona. Trico Awards $35,000 in POWER Grants to 6 Non-Profits – Trico Press Release To access our previous Education Corner postings, please view our Press Room.
Saturday, July 11th – P.O.W.W.O.W. Summer Produce Season Market (5 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take Away service tomorrow morning (Saturday), July 11th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If[…]
Saturday, July 11th – 2019/20 P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season Market (5 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take service for this Saturday, July 11th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If you[…]
Education Corner: Coronavirus & Food Q&As
Read the questions and answers from the World Health Organization to discuss if food or produce is safe to eat during the Coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus & Food Q&As – World Health Organization (WHO) To access our previous Education Corner postings, please view our Press Room.
Saturday, July 4th – 2019/20 P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season Market (2 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take Away service tomorrow morning (Saturday), July 4th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If[…]
Saturday, July 4th – 2019/20 P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season Market (2 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take service for this Saturday, July 4th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If you[…]
Saturday, June 27th – 2019/20 P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season Market (6 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take Away service tomorrow morning (Saturday), June 13th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If[…]
Saturday, June 27th – 2019/20 P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season Market (6 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take service for this Saturday, June 13th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If you[…]
Saturday, June 20th – 2019/20 P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season Market (6 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take service for this Saturday, June 13th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If you[…]
Saturday, June 13th – 2019/20 P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season Market (7 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take Away service tomorrow morning (Saturday), June 13th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If[…]
Saturday, June 13th – 2019/20 P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season Market (7 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
All of our Markets will be participating in the Drive Up and Take service for this Saturday, June 13th. You will have the option to contribute online $13 ($12 for the produce box and $1 for the PayPal processing fee) per reserved box and pick up between 7:30-9:30am (Please bring your PayPal receipt). If you[…]
Education Corner: Netflix, Restaurants on the Edge – Arizona
Watch us on a Netflix Original Series called Restaurants on the Edge Arizona edition (9:22) showcasing our P.O.W.W.O.W. market hosted at La Mesa Village Apartments in Mesa. Produce On Wheels With – Out Waste is an Arizona program and one of four major programs for Borderlands Produce Rescue. With no income or residential qualifications, anyone can[…]
Education Corner: Please help Borderlands continue to help YOU sign the petition and share with your friends
As a nonprofit Borderlands is Apolitical but does ask State and District Representatives to step up to help with issues that affect our organization and in turn affect our supporters. State and District Representatives after-all are expected to be ambassadors of their districts. P.O.W.W.O.W. is Borderland’s Arizona Program and we touch a multitude of Arizona[…]
Saturday, June 6th – 2019/20 P.O.W.W.O.W. Produce Season Market (7 Locations) – Hours: 7-10:00am
Get your fresh produce tomorrow morning (Saturday), June 6th from the hours of 7-10am. During Covid-19, take advantage of our prepackaged drive-thru service by visiting one of our markets. Drive your vehicle to the predetermined registration area, contribute your $12 cash (exact change preferred and per produce box) and someone will load your produce box.[…]
Testimonials
Kristi Lobianco

This had changed the way my family eats and is amazing! Fresh produce in stores can be so expensive therefore harder to buy but this has made healthy eating more plausible and possible for my family of 4!
Victoria Erivez

This is amazing! I live in Casa Grande and every weekend for a month I’ve been driving to one of the Phoenix locations. Produce is fresh and amazing. I will no longer give my money to Frys or Walmart for produce. You save tons of money every week and we look forward to our Saturday outings. We have fresh veggies every night! Thank you all for doing this wonderful thing!
Helen Smith

We are once again enjoying the wonderful bounty of fresh and locally grown veggies and fruits once again. The volunteers and staff are warm, friendly and helpful! Especially at the Santa Rita High School site and the church locate at 6700 East Broadway. Thank you Borderlands for taking back this program and making it a great experience once again!
The Gospel Rescue Mission

Connie Williams

One day a week, residents of the Tubac, Carmen, and Tumacácori villages along the Santa Cruz River flock to a roadside produce stand where volunteers working for the Borderlands Food Bank distribute fruits and vegetables in return for donations that support produce rescue. This has become a social event that mixes people of different socio-economic, cultural, and age groups in a win-win activity. Recipes are shared, unfamiliar vegetables are sampled, and plans to cook for house-bound neighbors are discussed. These communities are distant from the nearest Safeway and in a county with high rates of diabetes, so the opportunity to add delicious fruits and vegetables to family meals is enthusiastically embraced. We are all grateful to Borderlands Food Bank for their on-going work making this food and this sense of community available in our area.
Recipes of the Week
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Drive Up and Take Away – A Customer Service Program of P.O.W.W.O.W.
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Recipe of the Week: Avocado Summer Rolls
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Recipe of the Week: Vegan Tacos
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Recipe of the Week: Heirloom Tomato and Pepper Toast with Whipped Ricotta
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Recipe of the Week: Spinach Artichokes Zucchini Bites
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Recipe of the Week: Pickled Squash
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Recipe of the Week: Avocado-Butternut Squash Noodles
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Recipe of the Week: Avocado-Tomatillo Salsa Vede
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Recipe of the Week: Roasted Red Peppers and Cherry Tomatoes with Ricotta
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Recipe of the Week: Baked Acorn Squash Fries
Frequently Asked Questions
501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit donations to Borderlands are tax-deductible and is an approved Arizona Charitable Tax Credit organization (Diabetes Prevention and Aid Fun dba Borderlands Food Bank).
Founded in 1996, Borderlands has rescued 599,000,000 pounds of produce and distributed more than 547,820,00 million pounds of fresh produce to families. Our vision is to keep as much produce out of the landfills as humanly possible, helping our environment and distributing this produce to those in need, helping our community.
No! Clients of Borderlands do not have to income or residential qualify to use its services, that means everyone is welcome!
- Borderlands works without any government monies or commodities.
- Borderlands principally rescues fresh produce.
- Borderlands is an International organization.
- Borderlands can follow the donated produce from donor to end recipient.
The greater majority from Mexico via the U.S. and Canada for sale, arriving thru the Nogales Port of Entry. Some is also rescued in Yuma, AZ and some from local hydroponic plants.
The produce crosses from Mexico to the U.S. and is unloaded at local distribution warehouses for its sale. For a variety of reasons not all of the produce is sold. Borderlands has been educating the produce industry to not “dump” the unsold produce at the local landfill but instead to donate to Borderlands for its re-distribution to families; therefore we rescue it directly from the produce distribution warehouses.
Borderlands has four programs thru which it re-distributes the rescued produce.
- Veggies R Us: Direct Client/Agency distribution out of Borderlands warehouse facility.
- Produce on Wheels With-Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.) Hosted Pop-Up Produce Markets across Arizona
- Produce Travels: 24 other U.S. States receive produce from Borderlands.
- Animals Love Veggies: When Veggies perish we feed animals nutritiously.