ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Almost 40,000 pounds of apples were delivered to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in Elmira last week. They will soon be distributed to local families.

The apple delivery was made possible through the Nourish New York Program who brought in the fruits from United Apple. Representatives from the food bank share that those apples were grown and provided by farmers in New York State.

Last year, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier provided over 600,000 pounds of apples alone to the community. That amount only makes up a small part of more than 4 million pounds of produce distributed in 2024.

"It's super important to be giving folks what they want," said Sarah DeFrank, the director of policy, programs, and partnership for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. "I want potatoes and apples. I want my family to eat that New York State grown product, so should everyone else and have the opportunity to receive that and be able to serve it for their meals."

Volunteers at the food bank, including nursing students from SUNY Corning Community College, have already been bagging them up to distribute to families in the region.

For more information on how to volunteer, or if you need assistance, you can head to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier's website.