California food pantries are leading a move by hunger charities away from processed foods and toward supplying clients with more fresh fruits and vegetables, reports The New York Times.

Since 2005 the California Association of Food Banks has made deals with farms and packers statewide to collect produce that is too small, ripe, or misshapen for supermarket sale and distribute it to member charities. Following that state’s lead, the nationwide charity network Feeding America last month formed a task force with a goal of increasing donations of fresh produce by 25 percent next year.

The shift reflects both an effort to combat rising obesity among the poor and a response to greater efficiency in the processed-food industry, which is reducing the number of surplus items available for donation.

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