Today’s episode takes us to Bakersfield, California, where we talk to Bret Sill who you heard from on episode 008. We’re revisiting Bret for a bit of a different story on today’s podcast, one that’s perfect for the Thanksgiving holiday that’s happening this week. We have the chance to share a great story of an almond grower impacting his community.
In 2013, Bret felt led to be of service to the people of Bakersfield. He felt called to deliver fresh food directly from growers to people in need of quality food. Since that time, Morning Star Fresh Food Ministry has grown tremendously and served thousands of people.
“I knew how to buy, I knew how to pack and I knew how to distribute and just to take that for a food ministry and that we could do everything fresh, and with the growers that I knew and the connections that I had….. it was really just taking what I knew and say let's use it for something better and something for our community.” - Bret Sill
In Today’s episode:
- Meet Bret Sill, founder of the nonprofit Morning Star Fresh Food Ministry
- Explore the successes and good that Bret is able to share with his community
- Discover how producers and others can contribute to this worthy cause
“We want to give a hand up instead of a handout. And then that way they have some skin in the game and they want to contribute back to society.…..So that's what's really exciting to see, a person that was receiving a box and now they're doing so well that they're contributing back to the ministry. ” - Bret Sill
Contact the Almond Board field outreach team to access more available resources by sending an email to fieldoutreach@almondboard.com
ABC Update
A few years ago the Almond Board created a video called “The Mummy Shake” which was a song about winter sanitation set to the music of the song “Monster Mash”. The popularity of “The Mummy Shake” led to an annual competition of growers submitting videos of them dancing to the song. Senior manager of industry relations and communications Jenny Nicolau says the contest is back this year, but a little different from years past. The deadline for The Mummy Shake Holiday Song Competition is Friday, December 17th.
Register now for the Almond Conference December 7-9
The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.
ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.
