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A daily routine in Porto União draws attention for the combination of cultivation, family, and donation, with fresh food made available to those passing through the city center without charge or registration.
Levi Imianoski, 86 years old, maintains a daily routine of free food distribution in the center of Porto União, in the Northern Plateau of Santa Catarina.
Fruits, vegetables, and juice produced on his rural property are taken to a shelf installed in front of the Comatol company, where residents and passersby can take the items without paying.
On the stand, a notice guides the withdrawal: “Zero Cost. One package per person”.
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Among the foods offered are oranges, lemons, mandarins, pumpkins, and chayotes, depending on the available production at the farm.
The initiative was reported by ND Mais in a report published on June 20, 2026.
The distribution began from Levi’s decision to make use of the property’s surplus.
In an interview with the portal, he stated that he prefers to pass on the food rather than see it go to waste.
“I don’t like to see the fruit fallen and rotting. So, it has to be given to those who don’t have,” said the farmer.
Farmer distributes free food in Porto União
The habit of sharing part of the production already existed before Levi started living on the farm.
According to his daughter, Silvia Imianoski, the father used to leave baskets with fruits, vegetables, and greens at the entrance of the building where he lived, so that other residents could take them.
During the pandemic, Levi changed the family routine.
He, who used to spend weekends at the property located in Avencal, started living permanently on the farm.
With more time dedicated to the fruit trees, the vegetable garden, and the garden, production increased.
From this change, the distribution stopped occurring only among building residents and started being done in front of Comatol.
According to Silvia, the initiative came from her father himself and was incorporated into the family’s daily life.
“When we lived in an apartment, he would take baskets with fruits, vegetables, and greens to leave at the front desk. After moving to the farm, production increased significantly, and he transferred this habit to the store. Today he brings whatever is in season: oranges, lemons, pumpkins, chayotes. It’s entirely his initiative,” said Silvia to ND Mais.
Family helps in preparing fruits and vegetables
Levi has been married for 61 years to Gentile, who is 83 years old.
According to the report, she participates in preparing the food that will be made available to the public.
The couple harvests, cuts fruits when necessary, organizes the packages, and stocks the shelf.
Distribution usually starts around 7:30 AM.
On most days, according to the account published by ND Mais, the food runs out before the end of the workday.
The stand is located in a circulation area in the center of Porto União and has become known by residents and merchants in the region.
André Imianoski, Levi’s son, told the portal that the action expanded as production on the farm increased.
Initially, the farmer would take some of the food to clients and acquaintances.
Later, he started leaving the items available in front of the company.
“My father went to the farm during the pandemic and started taking even more care of the fruits and the garden. At first, he would take a little to the clients. Then the production grew, and he started distributing it in front of the store. Today this is already part of his routine,” declared André.
Comatol and trajectory in Porto União
The shelf used for distribution is located in front of Comatol, Levi’s company.
According to ND Mais, he and his family have been working for more than five decades in the tractor and agricultural equipment sector.
Even connected to business activities, the farmer maintains part of his routine focused on caring for the rural property.
Levi’s relationship with Porto União also appears in public records of the City Council.
In 2017, he was among the entrepreneurs honored with Honorable Mention and Contestado Medal during a session marked by tributes.
The information is in an official publication of the Porto União City Council, dated December 6 of that year.
On the property, production includes fruits, vegetables, and flowers, according to the report.
Between one harvest and another, Levi separates the food that will be taken to the stand the next day.
In addition to the items left on the shelf, he also usually prepares orange juice to gift friends and acquaintances.
Food stand does not require registration
The operation of the stand does not involve charges, registration, or prior sign-up.
The visible guideline at the location establishes that each person takes one package, a measure used to organize distribution and allow more people to access the available food.
According to the family’s account to ND Mais, the action was not created as a formal campaign.
It was consolidated from the routine of farming on the site and the increase in production.
When there are fruits, vegetables, or greens in quantities exceeding the family’s consumption, part of the items is taken to the shelf.
Levi states that he observes the reaction of the people who take the food.
For him, this feedback is the motivation to maintain the habit.
“What I see is that people are happy. And by seeing them happy, I feel even happier,” he declared.
Rural production supplies point in the city center
The initiative occurs in an urban context but depends directly on the rural production maintained by the farmer and the family in Avencal.
The path between the site and the center of Porto União has become part of Levi’s routine, who organizes the food according to the harvest of each period.
At 86 years old, the farmer continues with activities in the field and with the daily distribution in front of the company.
According to ND Mais, the shelf is stocked every day and, in general, is empty before the end of activities at the location.
The story gained attention for showing a continuous practice of reusing surplus production and directly offering food to the population.
In the family’s account, the action has no intermediaries or commercial purpose: the items are harvested, prepared, and left for those passing through the city center.
In Levi’s case, the distribution is linked to a family routine built over the years, first in a residential building and then in the central area of Porto União.
With the permanent move to the rural property during the pandemic, the amount of food increased and the stand became part of the company’s daily life.
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