A local food rescue nonprofit is distributing millions of free avocados this week

[cbabe]

https://www.thedp.com/article/2022/10/avocado-free-distribution-fdr-park

A local food rescue nonprofit is distributing millions of free avocados this week

By Haley Son 10/20/22 12:23am

(Exaggeration: actual number reported is just under a million. But wow!)

Sharing Excess — a local food rescue nonprofit — is giving away millions of free avocados to the public from Wednesday to Friday this week, due to a large surplus.

The event, “Avogeddon,” is taking place in FDR Park in South Philadelphia at the corner of S. 20th Street and Pattison Avenue. Distributions will start from 12 p.m. every day until 6 p.m., or until supplies run out. According to the organization, at least five semi-trucks worth of avocados will be distributed to anybody that comes by.

“This is all trust-based,” founder of Sharing Excess Evan Ehlers told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Our volunteers will ask, ‘How many do you need?’ If someone says, ‘I’m going to feed my entire block,’ we’re going to believe them.”

According to a press release, the sudden excess of avocados can be attributed to a surplus in South America. Avocado prices and supplies have been volatile this year, with shortages due to trade restrictions and climate change earlier in the year.

“[T]here are literally millions of perfectly edible avocados at risk of going to waste, and we can’t let that happen,” said Sharing Excess in a Facebook post. The group hopes this event will prevent food waste and get the surplus to the people who need them, according to the press release.

“We realized that we needed to do something bigger to be able to handle this massive surplus in a timely manner where the avocados are still good and able to be eaten,” said Ehlers to WHYY.

…more…

[intrepidity]

1. They freeze well

Although I never have extras to freeze, I have purchased bags of frozen halved avocados, and they work great for guac.

Wish there was a truckload of free ones here!

[Srkdqltr]

4. Do they turn black when frozen? Didn't know that could be done successfully.

[intrepidity]

5. The ones I purchase are nicely green

Now, I don't know if they spray them with an acid first, but no doubt they flash-freeze, which would prevent browning.

As I said, I never manage to have leftover avocados, thus have never tried it myself. Next time they are on sale, I'll try to remember to try it.

[Srkdqltr]

6. Good to know, thanks

[Wicked Blue]

2. So it's rock around the guac

[Trailrider1951]

3. Holy Guacamole!

I'll take two, please!