Coeur d'Alene group distributes nearly 600 pounds of produce to restaurant workers

COEUR d'ALENE — Brussels sprouts, monster squashes and a colorful array of peppers were among nearly 600 pounds of food PB and J Haydeners distributed Monday morning at First Presbyterian Church.

“Cauliflower? It’s healthy,” CDAIDE care counselor Candice Randall said, offering Leandra Keller a large crown of the white vegetable nestled in green leaves.

“Sure, I actually love cauliflower," said Keller, of Post Falls.

These gifts of autumn's bounty went to baristas, bakers, bartenders and others in the service and hospitality industry who don't often find themselves on the receiving side of such gastronomic transactions. 

“I love this. I think this is so cool, especially because produce is expensive,” said Keller, who has worked in coffee or food service most of her adult life. “I try to eat as healthy as possible and I’m also vegetarian, so this is everything I love and need."

PB and J Haydeners partnered with CDAIDE to ensure the produce went to those who may be struggling now that fall has arrived and the boon of summer's tourism economy is waning.

Despite an early overnight frost warning that had many local gardeners scrambling and harvesting, PB and J Haydeners still came through with generous amounts of fruits and veggies, much of which came directly from the 4,800-square-foot garden PB and J operates in Hayden.

Distributing fresh food through CDAIDE came about following the devastating Sept. 2 fire that destroyed the iconic 85-year-old Wolf Lodge Inn. 

“It started as helping the Wolf Lodge people, then it turned into helping as many people in the service industry as we can help,” Benson said. 

“These people help so many others and they serve so many others, and we’re trying to serve Kootenai County, so maybe we can give back to the people who give to so many throughout Kootenai County,” said Deana Banks, treasurer/worker bee with the organization.

The garden's volunteers distribute up to 700 pounds of produce to local recipients each week, depending on the time of year.

"About 150-350 pounds can come out of our garden,” Benson said. “The rest we purchase at the grocery store."

CDAIDE is a nonprofit that supports hospitality workers in crisis by connecting them with resources and relief. Executive Director Jason Nye said food scarcity is often a reason this population asks for help.

"After paying for their rent and all those other necessary things, they just don’t have enough left over for food for them and their families," Nye said. 

He said many workers will say they are OK because they eat one meal a day at their place of work, "but it's hard to get food for the kids because they’re not able to get that meal."

"A lot of people are going without those extra two meals a day just doing the one so they can feed their kids," Nye said.

He said some places are great in how they support their workers, such as The Coeur d'Alene Resort, which offers its employees a buffet while they are on shift.

The PB and J produce is something he said he knows families need.

Sydney Adams of Post Falls stopped by the produce tables. She has been in the service industry for several years.

“I like to get a lot of skills,” she said. "You might as well learn something if you’re getting paid to do it.

Adams said she has been working with a dislocated knee for the past month, without asking for time off work.

She said being a barista can be fun.

"Sometimes it’s kind of hectic and it gets to be overwhelming, but it’s just coffee," she said.

She said she thought the food giveaway was pretty awesome.

“A lot of healthy food like this stuff is hard to come by, especially if it’s grown locally, you don’t really get that around here all that much anymore," she said. “It gives people a good opportunity to eat healthy food. They know where it’s coming from; it’s not like it’s laced with chemicals. And most of the stuff here is expensive. Grapes, I know, are like $8 in the store. Strawberries are like $5.” 

Nye said it was nice to help people in a different way.

“So much of what we do is housing, transportation, utilities, medical, dental stuff," he said. "Inflation has impacted so much. We all go to the grocery stores right now and see what the prices are, I don’t know what this would cost retail right now. A fortune, I would think."

The PB and J Haydeners Fall Fundraiser will be from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at 9538 N. Reed Road, Hayden.

    Sydney Adams of Post Falls, who has worked as a baker, a barista and at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, fills a bag with produce Monday morning during a distribution of produce donated by PB and J Haydeners, a mobile distribution nonprofit that grows fresh fruits and vegetables in Hayden. "About 150-350 pounds can come out of our garden,” said Heidi Benson president/chair. "The rest we purchase at the grocery store."
  

    CDAIDE care counselor Candice Randall helps organize produce that was set on tables Monday morning during the PB and J Haydeners food giveaway to benefit restaurant and hospitality workers in the community.