Just behind Laura and the Loaves and Fishes x10 banner is eight rolls of squash planted

for the organization for food banks,food pantries and soup kitchens. This is the second

time this year The Original Manassero Farms has partnered to stomp out hunger in this

capacity. Dan and Anne Manassero have been a big tribute to the fight against hunger and

we at the organization appreciate all they have done. We look forward to working with the

Manassero’s in the future.

Last year, The Original Manassero Farms donated 250,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables to feed those in need.

State Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, is scheduled to honor the Irvine-based grower for its charity today at the Westminster Family Fitness Day, an annual event launched by the senator to promote exercise and healthy eating.

For the past four years, Dan Manassero, who founded The Original Manassero Farms in 1976, has donated corn, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, green beans and melons to Loaves and Fishesx10, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit. The organization then distributes the produce to food banks, shelters and churches in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

“It’s a shame to throw it away,” said Manassero, a third-generation Orange County farmer. “(Loaves and Fishesx10) is doing all the work. I’m just donating stuff.”

Westminster Family Fitness Day was created to encourage better eating habits among low-income families who might otherwise turn to fast food or similar options. The farm’s contributions aligned nicely with that goal, said Asia Cunningham, Correa’s district director.