3 Ways Farmers Can Participate in the Farm-to-Food Bank Program

We all know how important (and delicious) local food, fresh from the farm is to incorporate in our diets.  But we also know that it can tend to be viewed as a luxury food in terms of affordability.  Well, the Maryland Food Bank is helping to break that barrier by implementing the Farm-to-Food Bank Program throughout the state.

The program includes a network of farms and cooperatives who have pledged to donate fresh fruits and vegetables to the food bank on a regular basis.  Farmers can participate by:

• donating excess crops
• allowing minimum-custody offenders to conduct final sweeps of fields in cooperation with the Maryland State Department of Corrections, or
• contracting to grow most-needed fruits and vegetables on a portion of land set aside specifically for the food bank

Farms may deliver produce to the Maryland Food Bank or arrange for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly pick-ups.  Then, the food bank will immediately either prepare the fruits and vegetables for meals or reconstitute them into healthy frozen meals for use at a later time.

The farmers’ donations will ensure a steady supply of nutritious food to individuals and families striving to overcome hunger.  We think this is a great partnership of the food bank and local farmers to continue to feed our local communities.  Great work, Maryland Farm Bank!  For a complete list of participating farms and cooperatives, or the join the effort yourself, visit www.mdfoodbank.org.