CHARITABLE FARMING APPEAL TO AID AREA HUNGRY
Community Harvest Food Bank is asking farmers and area gardeners to share some of their bountiful harvest with neighbors in need this growing season. Sharply rising food and fuel costs are driving an increase in demand for food assistance making it a challenge to find additional sources for donated food as traditional food donors also feel the economic pinch.
Jane Avery, Executive Director, Community Harvest Food Bank proposes that farmers and gardeners plan for a surplus harvest. “Plant some for those less fortunate. By planting an additional acre of beans or sweet corn and donating it to Community Harvest you’ll help make hungry lives less desperate. By bringing to the food bank, a member agency pantry or soup kitchen surplus fruits and vegetables that you might otherwise take to your co-workers or neighbors, you are providing good nutritious food for area hungry who are less likely to purchase food of that quality which is expensive. Providing good nutrient-rich foods that improve mental and physical well being and overall quality of life is a focus for Community Harvest and we’d like to get the message out to farmers and gardeners large and small that they can indeed make a big difference to those in need with just a little more effort.”
Deb Treesh, Coordinator, Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) has already planted 3 acres of sweet corn. On average each acre will produce 17,000 ears of corn. “However, while that sounds like a lot of corn, Community Harvest serves a minimum of 14,000 people every week. So, that much corn won’t go very far,” cautions Avery. Treesh has also recruited several other area farmers to do the same. Treesh says, “There is even a limited amount of seed available to farmers free of charge through FHFH for this purpose. We just want to encourage area growers to help feed lower income families in our area by doing what they do best. And it doesn’t have to just be crops. We also encourage farmers and hunters to donate livestock and large game to participating butchers who will process them and donate to Community Harvest. Just go to communityharvestfoodbank.org for more information.”
This appeal is also going out to area sponsors who purchase 4-H County Fair winning livestock. Mike Talbott, Purdue University County Extension Director/4-H Youth Development, is getting the word out to 4-H fair participants and sponsors to donate their winning livestock to Community Harvest. “It makes perfect sense to reach out to those in need. And it makes it just that much more robust of a learning experience for our 4-H kids. Northeast Indiana has a rich agricultural heritage. It’s something we’re all proud of. Sharing the harvest with neighbors who are struggling is something that has gone on for centuries.”
Avery says, “Farmers should talk to their accountant for tax deduction opportunities. And we encourage anyone who has a bushel of green beans, a box of green peppers, a bag of cucumbers or a truckload of apples, just any nutritious fruits and vegetables, to share them with the hungry in this area.”
Contacts: Jane Avery, Community Harvest Food Bank (260) 447-3696
Deb Treesh, Coordinator FHFH (260) 541-0365
Mike Talbott, CED, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development (260) 481-6826
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