FOOD SECURITY
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Harvest Hope Newsletter |
December 2024
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Program Highlights
Farm Fresh Holiday Meal Distribution Program |
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The Food Security Team is hard at work coordinating the Farm Fresh Holiday Meal Distribution Program, a heartfelt initiative designed to bring the warmth and joy of the season to senior citizens and homebound individuals in our community.
In Greensboro, we are proud to partner with the Triad Black Faith Leaders and Black Farmers Network (TBFL&BFN), Lucas Farm Fresh, Greensboro Chapter of Links, and the Greensboro Housing Authority to distribute 515 food boxes and 75 hot meals. These boxes will be delivered to an elementary school, a housing complex, a senior home, and through participating churches to reach families in need.
In High Point, we are once again joining forces with Growing High Point and Helping Hands to distribute 203 food boxes and 75 hot “holiday meals” for seniors and homebound individuals. Each of these holiday packages will also feature the youth-made cards from D-Up Inc.
This year, we worked with a total of seven community partners and three farmers to distribute 718 total boxes of fresh food, which is estimated to weigh 12,206 lbs! That weight does not include the meat that was also provided. In addition to the fresh food boxes, we added 150 hot meals to be delivered to senior and homebound individuals throughout the county, continuing a collaborative tradition of community partners and producers working together to source fresh food from local farmers.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in this program, we couldn't have done it without you!
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Upcoming Events |
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Join us for our first ever "speed dating" event between buyers and farmers!
An event where buyers share their needs, and farmers showcase their skills and plan their crops to match the local demand. This event will take place at the Guilford County Center on January 22, 2025 from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM.
The format of the event:
Buyers present their needs for the upcoming season (e.g., preferred crops, volume, timing, specific varieties).
Farmers share information about what they can produce, growing timelines, and limitations (e.g., weather, soil types).
Benefits
For Buyers: Ensures access to desired produce while supporting local farmers.
For Farmers: Reduces the risk of surplus crops or unprofitable ventures by aligning with market demand.
For the Community: Strengthens relationships, provides fresh healthy food to consumers and builds a resilient local food system.
We are creating a streamlined communication network for restaurants and wholesalers to share their specific needs while enabling farmers to effectively align their production and distribution strategies!
The event is free - but capacity is limited. Please register to reserve a seat.
If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, please contact Marcus Williams (mjwill34@ncsu.edu; (336) 641-2416). Thank you for your interest!
N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. NC State University, N.C. A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and local governments cooperating.
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Community Partner Spotlight |
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This month's spotlight goes to Helping Hands High Point Inc.!
Helping Hands is the largest non-profit food pantry in the High Point area! Helping Hands brings together individuals who are ready to make a difference and empowers them to create positive social change in their community. Helping Hands' mission is to relieve hunger on a daily basis and to improve the health and quality of life for our recipients by offering free access to wholesome, nutritious food. Helping Hands strives to decrease hunger and displacement of families in conjunction with other supportive services. Helping Hands also delivers food to individuals and families that are disabled or lack access to transportation.
There are a few ways to get involved with Helping Hands!
1.) Volunteer to sort, stack, clean, and pack food boxes on food distribution days, or to help load and unload. You (or your business, church, school, small group, or civic club) can also volunteer to host a fundraising event or food drive for Helping Hands.
2.) Donate to Helping Hands! As a non-profit, Helping Hands depends on the generosity and support of the community and ministry friends who believe in their mission. Donating means that you are actively making a difference in the needs of families throughout the city - people like me and you, people who need help, hope, and a hand up!
Thank you Helping Hands for your community efforts in helping individuals and families to overcome food insecurity! For more information about Helping Hands and the wonderful work they're doing, please click the button below!
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| HELPING HANDS
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NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
N.C. Cooperative Extension - Guilford County Center, 3309 Burlington Rd, Greensboro, NC 27405, United States
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