Imagine throwing away perfectly good produce because it has a bruise or isn’t pretty enough to display in a grocery store. That happens every day in Arizona, and The 3000 Club, a Phoenix-based nonprofit based in Deer Valley, is trying to change that.

The nonprofit started the Market On the Move program eight years ago to provide a farmers’ market atmosphere where anyone can receive 60 pounds of fresh, lightly bruised produce – that would otherwise be thrown in landfills – for a $10 donation. The produce comes from grocery store distributors. The program fed more than 84,000 families in 2017.

The nonprofit will be able to distribute enough food for more than 900 additional meals this year thanks to a $3,000 grant from the Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana, a leading health and well-being company.

Humana employees who volunteered and logged their hours during National Volunteer Month in April had the opportunity to win one of six Humana Foundation recognition grants for the nonprofit of their choice.

Humana employee Jessica Lukenda, who lives in Glendale and works at Humana’s Glendale office, won one of those grants. She and her colleagues hosted and volunteered at a Market On the Move at four Humana sites in the Valley of the Sun.

“I selected The 3000 Club to receive my grant because I value the work they do to rescue fresh produce and deliver it to the community at an affordable price. Food insecurity has a big impact on people’s health so it’s important that there are options for people to get fresh produce near where they live,” said Lukenda. “They stand out among many nonprofits I’ve worked with as they focus toward an eco-friendly way of life.”

The grant was presented to Nicco Punzalan, The 3000 Club Executive Director, on July 19. Twenty-five Humana employees were on hand to present a large check and spent three hours packing medical supplies that will be sent to disaster relief areas. The 3000 Club also has a Medical Reclamation Program.

“Humana has been a wonderful partner to our Market On the Move program for three years by hosting events at their offices around Phoenix and providing volunteers,” said Punzalan. “The timing of the grant couldn’t have been better and I can’t thank the Humana Foundation enough. This grant will allow us to serve more families in Arizona.”

To find a Market On the Move location near you visit the3000club.org or text “market” to 88202.