Second Harvest’s Farm Fresh pilot program provides fresh produce

FACEBOOK PAGE. BRIANA: THIS, AND EVERY TUESDAY OF THE MONTH WE’RE PARTNERING WITH SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK FOR ANOTHER VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE. THE MONEY YOU GIVE DOES MORE THAN JUST ENSURE OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT. I VISITED A FOOD PANTRY IN OUR STATE TO FIND OUT HOW SECOND HARVEST IS HELPING PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH WHAT THEY NEED AND WHAT THEY WANT. THE PANTRY THAT RUNS OUT OF JEFFERSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS STACKED WITH FROZEN VEGETABLES, MILK, DRIED BEANS, AND CANNED GOODS. BUT THINGS LIKE STRAWBERRIES AND FRESH LETTUCE ARE MORE OF A LUXURY. >> ANYTIME WE GET FRESH PRODUCE, THEY’RE SO EXCITED. BRIANA: ASHLEY CHURCH AND HER VOLUNTEERS RUN THE PANTRY, AND SAY THAT’S THEIR TOP REQUES ONCE SECOND HARVEST FOUND OUT — >> THAT LED US TO THINKING CREATIVELY. BRIANA: AMANDA WITH NUTRITION SERVICES CREATED A PROGRAM TO TACKLE A SITUATION. >> THEY EXPERIENCE THAT PERFECT STORM AT THE ONSET, HEALTH OUTCOMES LIMITED TRANSPORTATION AND POTENTIALLY LESS FUNDS THAN THEY HAD BEFORE. BRIANA: HER IDEA LINKED THE 3 PANTRIES IN RURAL ASHE COUNTY UP WITH A LOCAL FARM OVER THE SUMMER. >> YOU’VE GOT CUCUMBERS, SQUASH, ZUCCHINI, TOMATOES, POTATOES, A WHOLE VARIETY OF VEGGIES FOR VARIETY OF MEALS FOR HOUSEHOLDS ACCESSING FOOD AT THE FOOD PANTRY. BRIANA: THEY SENT OUT FRESH PRODUCE SHARES WITH OTHER PANTRY ITEMS. THEN SENT TEXT MESSAGES TO FOLLOW UP WITH FAMILIES. >> THEY WOULD SAY, TRY NOT TO COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS. LOVE YOUR BODY AND HOW WELL IT WORKS. EAT FOR YOUR HEALTH. KNOW WHAT A HEALTHY PORTION IS AND CUT DOWN ON SERVING SIZES TO EAT HEALTHY. >> WE HEARD ABOUT HOW THEY HAD LOST WEIGHT, OR HOW THEY TAUGHT THEIR GRANDAUGHTER HOW TO COOK A RECIPE WE SENT HOME WITH THEM, OR I JUST WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND MY A1C IS DOWN SOMANY POINTS — JUST REALLY NEAT TO HAVE THIS EXTRA LEEL OF RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CLIENTS. BRIANA: AT THE END OF A PROGRAM ALL ABOUT CHOICES HEGE SAYS SECOND HARVEST HAD TWO OPTIONS, PIVOT, OR PERSEVERE. >> LISTENING TO PARTICIPANTS, PANTIRES, THE FARM IT SOUNDS LIKE HERE WE REALLY WANT TO PERSEVERE. HOW DO WE EXPAND TO OTHER COUNTIES? HOW DO WE TAKE THIS POTENTIALLY STATEWIDE? HOW DO WE IMPACT INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED HEALTHY FOOD AND ALSO OUR FARMER THAT NEED RELIABLE MARKETS? BRIANA: LOADING UP GOOD IDEAS TO ROLL OUT WITH THE NUTRITION PEOPLE NEED, THANKS TO SECOND HARVEST. >> THEY’RE ALWAYS WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE PARTNER AGENCIES ARE WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND WE CAN GO AHEAD AND FEED ALL OF N BRIANA: REALLY ENJOYED MY TRIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT BEFORE COVID-19 HIT, THE CHURCH PLANNED TO ENROLL 50 FAMILIES IN THE PROGRAM. THEY WOUND UP GIVING MORE THAN 10,000 POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE TO 100 FAMILIES. ALL OF THEM SAID THEY WERE SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRAM AND WOULD BE INTERESTED IN DOING IT AGAIN. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED TODAY. YOU’VE HELPED US RAISE MORE TH $35,000 AND THAT INCLUDES A MATCH FROM LEWIS AND KELLER. THE LAW FIRM IS MATCHING UP TO $10,000 IN DONATIONS. YOU CAN STILL MAKE A DONATION

Second Harvest’s Farm Fresh pilot program provides fresh produce for Jefferson food pantry

Updated: 8:41 PM EST Dec 8, 2020

Every Tuesday in December, WXII 12 is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank for a virtual food drive. The money donated does more than just ensure friends and neighbors have enough to eat. A food pantry in the western part of the state is an example of how Second Harvest is helping its partner agencies provide people with what they need and what they want.

JEFFERSON, N.C. —

Every Tuesday in December, WXII 12 is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank for a virtual food drive.

The money donated does more than just ensure friends and neighbors have enough to eat.

A food pantry in the western part of the state is an example of how Second Harvest is helping its partner agencies provide people with what they need and what they want.