Borderlands Produce Rescue
Borderlands Produce Rescue
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  • More
    • Home
    • P.O.W.W.O.W.
      • Produce On Wheels
      • Drive Up and Take Away
      • New to P.O.W.W.O.W.?
      • Produce Calendar
      • Subscribe to our Newsltr
      • Become a Host
    • Our Programs
      • Produce Rescue
      • Veggies R' Us
      • P.O.W.W.O.W.
      • (P.A.C.)
      • Community Engagement
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • About Us
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Connect with Us
  • Home
  • P.O.W.W.O.W.
  • Our Programs
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • About Us
  • History
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff
  • Connect with Us

About Us

 Welcome to the Borderlands online Press Room. Our team loves to work with news media across platforms to tell the stories of our produce rescue and community outreach programs in order to build awareness. Borderlands is dedicated to rescuing produce and distributing that produce through our programs. We receive no government funding. 

Founded

 Since 1994, Borderlands has rescued 599,000,000 pounds of produce and distributed more than 547,820,00 million pounds of fresh produce to families. 

Our Mission

 The mission of Borderlands Produce Rescue is to rescue produce and in turn improve the quality of peoples lives, by addressing their most basic of needs – accessibility to nutritious fresh produce and living in a healthy environment.


  • Rescuing Unwanted Produce Before it Ends Up in Our Landfills
  • Provide Affordable Fresh Produce to Anyone in Need – No Qualifying
  • Build Partnerships that Create Produce Rescue Awareness
  • Lead to Achieve Our Vision of Rescuing Produce for Generations


Borderlands is able to accomplish its vision by working in conjunction with our many generous donor partners, social clubs, churches, civic organizations, food banks and national hunger relief organizations to make sure communities have access to our rescued produce.

How We Do It!

  • “We Rescue Produce!” All of which is either excess produce from distributors (donor partners), “ugly” produce that grocery stores won’t put on their shelves. The produce would have otherwise ended up in a landfill, where distributors would have to pay to get rid of it. We have rescued more than 39 different varieties of vegetables and fruit– from over 120 donor partnerships. Less than 1% of the donations are non-produce items such as milk, canned soup, cereal and other non-perishable items. Often times, at least 10% to 15% of the produce Borderlands is able to rescue is unusable, and is in turn sent to either local farmers as animal feed or trucked to the San Xavier Reservation for the University of Arizona compost Cat Program. Borderlands rescues roughly 30 – 45 million pounds of produce each year.


  • Located about 1.5 miles away from the Mexico border, Borderlands has two 13,000-square-foot warehouses which serves to receive and distribute the produce through programs including:


  • “Veggies R’ Us” – Our warehouse market is open to the public Tuesday through Friday. Anyone can get a shopping cart full of produce for a $5 donation. On Mondays, the warehouse is open for nonprofit organizations to come and take up to 10 boxes of produce for free.


  • “Produce on Wheels Without Waste” or P.O.W.W.O.W. as it is affectionately called. – Produce is distributed at each our weekly pop-up produce markets around Arizona by volunteers. These sites are hosted by community organizations, churches, civic organizations, schools and universities, just to name a few. For $12 participants receive 70lbs of fresh produce. We typically provide a produce list with the quantities of each item participants can shop for, this ensures that everyone receives the same mix of produce.


  • Our P.O.W.W.O.W. After Hours program works with area non-profit organizations who, once registered with Borderlands, are able to pick-up up to 10 boxes of each variety of remaining produce from the pop up markets and is only open at the completion of each of our weekly market sites and only after our participants have had a chance to shop.


  • “Produce Travels” – 26 other U.S. States receive produce from Borderlands.


  • “Veterans Exact Thanks (VETs)” – We launched this project as a way to directly support veterans in our communities who are unable to make ends meet, and are in need of food assistance. Each month throughout the season we’ll be displaying our VETs Boot and the P.O.W.W.O.W. markets with the goal of having supporters fill it to the brim with non-perishable goods. All of the items donated will be provided directly to veterans serving programs in Arizona.


  • “P.A.C. (Potpourri for Animals and Composting” – When Veggies perish we feed animals nutritiously. We partner with local ranchers and compost programs “Produce Recycling” – to donate produce not of quality for human consumption.


  • In 2017,  3,032,118 pounds of produce that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill went to these two programs.


  • We are proud to say: less than 1% of the produce we rescue is eventually disposed of in the local landfill.
    Our goal, every season, is to have a zero waste year.


  • “Arizona Department of Corrections Job Site & Arizona After” – Since 1996, Borderlands has partnered with Arizona Department of Corrections to employ 11-12 inmates that work at the warehouse. The inmates help out with everything from unloading trucks and sorting produce to packing the trucks that go out to weekly pop-up markets (P.O.W.W.O.W.) and packing shopping carts for the Veggies “R” Us program. Borderlands offers inmates a wide array of certificates and the opportunity to learn several different positions in our warehouse, from working the floor to learning about the distribution process.


  • Inmates placed at Borderlands have the opportunity to take part in every aspect of our work, everything from the day-to-day operations at our warehouse, all the way to the distribution process. In addition to hands-on training, Borderlands also creates opportunities for inmates to share their own skills and creativity. The hallways and walls of the offices in the warehouse are installed with artwork – all of it by inmates.

Our Vision

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.


People (and animals) have the right to eat nutritiously; it’s the most basic of needs. 

Non-Discriminatory

 Borderlands Produce Rescue is committed to implementing inclusive practices in the workplace and throughout our programs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, ethnic background, sex, disability, size, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 

Yolanda Soto - President & CEO

 I was a single MOM with 5 children to support had just lost a job #metoo and needed to work!


Sight unseen, not knowing what a food bank was, I interviewed for the position as Executive Director and was hired immediately. Social Justice has always been my forte.


Borderlands was a traditional food bank, giving out government commodity product, something I worked on immediately to change.  Families needing help should not have to show proof of need and so we jumped over that hoop.  Secondly the most basic of human rights is food, but we decided it was nutritious food and living in the center of the produce industry the decision was made to rescue fresh produce that was unsaleable get it to families and help stop food waste. At that point Borderlands was BORN!

What Else You Should Know

Rescuing 32 million pounds of produce annually and then coordinating the distribution of that produce, takes monumental effort from the handful of employees who staff Borderlands.


We are currently soliciting participants at the P.O.W.W.O.W. pop-up markets for volunteers for a number of our programs; including social media and grant writers for the stay at home type and pop-up market “Head Honchos” for those who love being in charge who have some friends to do a little heavy lifting.

What We Need

 2018 has started off with a bang, unfortunately some of our important equipment has decided to take a siesta. Needless to say, when you move as much produce as we do there will be breakdowns. This year Borderlands has been hit considerably hard with equipment failures and is in dire need of some functioning key heavy equipment. Our forklifts, lift gates, ride along pallet trucks and electronic pallet jacks are on their last legs or not functional at all. Some items can be repaired but most need replaced. Repairs and or replacements are both very expensive. All this equipment is crucial for use in rescuing and distributing our produce. Please help… Thanks for listening! 

Press & Media Inquiries

“Schedule with Yolanda”

To schedule speaking engagements, interviews or fact checking, please call: 520-980-2367


If you are a member of the media and on deadline, please contact our main line. 

Our Videos

Netflix: Restaurants on the Edge - Arizona

CNN-Great Big Story: Fighting Food Waste at the Border

CNN-Great Big Story: Fighting Food Waste at the Border

Watch us on the Netflix Original Series called Restaurants on the Edge Arizona eidtion (9:22) showcasing our P.O.W.W.O.W. market hosted at LaMesa Village Apartments in Mesa.  Click here to watch the video.

CNN-Great Big Story: Fighting Food Waste at the Border

CNN-Great Big Story: Fighting Food Waste at the Border

CNN-Great Big Story: Fighting Food Waste at the Border

Sundance Films: "Man in the Maze"

CNN-Great Big Story: Fighting Food Waste at the Border

Talberg Foundation: Borderlands Produce Rescue

Talberg Foundation: Borderlands Produce Rescue

CNN-Great Big Story: Tackling Food Waste with Five Leaders in Sustainability

Talberg Foundation: Borderlands Produce Rescue

CNN-Great Big Story: Tackling Food Waste with Five Leaders in Sustainability

CNN-Great Big Story: Tackling Food Waste with Five Leaders in Sustainability

CNN-Great Big Story: Tackling Food Waste with Five Leaders in Sustainability

ACTV: Produce On Wheels With - Out Waste

CNN-Great Big Story: Tackling Food Waste with Five Leaders in Sustainability

CNN-Great Big Story: Tackling Food Waste with Five Leaders in Sustainability

In The News

Netflix: Restaurants on the Edge - Arizona

Phoenix Magazine: Voted Best Food-Insecurity Initiative

Phoenix Magazine: Voted Best Food-Insecurity Initiative

Watch us on the Netflix Original Series called Restaurants on the Edge Arizona edition (9:22) showcasing our P.O.W.W.O.W. market hosted at LaMesa Village Apartments in Mesa.  Click here to watch the video.

Phoenix Magazine: Voted Best Food-Insecurity Initiative

Phoenix Magazine: Voted Best Food-Insecurity Initiative

Phoenix Magazine: Voted Best Food-Insecurity Initiative

Read this article from Phoenix Magazine explaining how Borderlands Produce Rescue was voted the Best Food-Insecurity Initiative.  Click here to view the full article.

KGUN 9: Curbing Hunger and Food Waste

Phoenix Magazine: Voted Best Food-Insecurity Initiative

Cronkite News: Produce Rescue-Nogales Group Feeds Vulnerable Communities as it Fights Food Waste

View the Facebook video from KGUN 9 explaining how  a local organization works to curb hunger and food waste by getting to produce before it touches the landfill.   Click here to view the Facebook video.

Cronkite News: Produce Rescue-Nogales Group Feeds Vulnerable Communities as it Fights Food Waste

Cronkite News: From Fresh Produce to Inmate Job Training, Nogales Food Bank Fills a Basket of Needs

Cronkite News: Produce Rescue-Nogales Group Feeds Vulnerable Communities as it Fights Food Waste

Read this article from Cronkite News explaining how Borderlands partners with three ASU campuses in Metro Phoenix to host the P.O.W.W.O.W. program in food desert area so vulnerable communities can supplement their meals with fresh fruits and vegetables.  Click here to view the full article.

Cronkite News: From Fresh Produce to Inmate Job Training, Nogales Food Bank Fills a Basket of Needs

Cronkite News: From Fresh Produce to Inmate Job Training, Nogales Food Bank Fills a Basket of Needs

Cronkite News: From Fresh Produce to Inmate Job Training, Nogales Food Bank Fills a Basket of Needs

Read this article from Cronkite News explaining how Borderlands using the inmate program is supplementing meals for the San Cruz County residents through the Veggies R' Us program.  Click here to view the YouTube video.

National Geographics: Rescuing Rejected Food to Feed the Hungry at the U.S./Mexico Border

Cronkite News: From Fresh Produce to Inmate Job Training, Nogales Food Bank Fills a Basket of Needs

Cronkite News: From Fresh Produce to Inmate Job Training, Nogales Food Bank Fills a Basket of Needs

Read this article from Nogales International to find out Borderlands Produce Rescue provide perished produce through (P.A.C.) Potpourri for Animals and Composting to Ranchers.  Click here to view the full article.

Nonprofit Times: Yolanda Soto of Borderlands - 2015 Power & Influence Top 50

Nonprofit Times: Yolanda Soto of Borderlands - 2015 Power & Influence Top 50

Nonprofit Times: Yolanda Soto of Borderlands - 2015 Power & Influence Top 50

Read this article from Nonprofit Times of how Yolanda Soto, President and CEO was selected one of the top 50 Power & Influence of 2015.  Click here to view the full article.

Sundance Films: "Man in the Maze"

Nonprofit Times: Yolanda Soto of Borderlands - 2015 Power & Influence Top 50

Nonprofit Times: Yolanda Soto of Borderlands - 2015 Power & Influence Top 50

 Watch the world premiere of the Sundance Film “Man in the Maze” an award-winning documentary film, filmed in Southern Arizona. One of five films to win the Sundance Short Film Challenge, it takes the viewer from the devastating dumping of fruits and vegetables, into the Rio Rico landfill, to Borderlands Food Bank in Nogales, and on to Southern Arizona communities working to save the food from waste, and to grow their own.   Click here to view the YouTube video.

KGUN 9: Produce On Wheels at Arizona State Veterans Home

Nonprofit Times: Yolanda Soto of Borderlands - 2015 Power & Influence Top 50

Arizona Capital Television: Produce On Wheels With - Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.)

 Thanks to Sam Nanez of the Arizona State Veterans Home for the great interview on the The Morning Blend tv show.  Click here to view the YouTube video.

Arizona Capital Television: Produce On Wheels With - Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.)

Huff Post: Perfectly Good Produce Discarded at U.S. Border Feeds People in Need

Arizona Capital Television: Produce On Wheels With - Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.)

Click here to view the YouTube video.

Nogales International: Prison inmates do hard work in Santa Cruz County

Huff Post: Perfectly Good Produce Discarded at U.S. Border Feeds People in Need

Huff Post: Perfectly Good Produce Discarded at U.S. Border Feeds People in Need

An article from Nogales International Newspaper reported by Murphy Woodhouse called “Prison inmates do hard work in SC County” explains how vital inmate labor from the Arizona Department of Corrections is to the operation of Borderlands Food Bank.  Click here to read the full article.

Huff Post: Perfectly Good Produce Discarded at U.S. Border Feeds People in Need

Huff Post: Perfectly Good Produce Discarded at U.S. Border Feeds People in Need

Huff Post: Perfectly Good Produce Discarded at U.S. Border Feeds People in Need

 The Huffington Post article reported by Cameron Keady called Perfectly Good Produce Discarded At U.S. Border Feeds People In Need.  Please read the article describing how Borderlands Food Bank is giving a second life to produce discarded at the U.S. border by distributing it to people in need.  Click here to read the full article.

Social


Borderlands Warehouse


270 W. Produce Row

Nogales, AZ 85621

520-287-2627

infobpr@borderlandsfoodbank.org


Copyright © 2021 Borderlands Produce Rescue - All Rights Reserved.

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