Farmers to Families Initiative Provides More than Food

Summary

As part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, USDA is exercising authority under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to purchase and distribute agricultural products to those in need. Telfair County Extension was involved in this important initiative due to their strong community contacts and collaborations.

Situation

Many Americans, including Telfair County citizens have lost jobs and other valuable resources through no fault of their own due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In addition, even the families within the community who remained gainfully employed have found resources to not be as plentiful due to COVID-19. Grocery store shelves were not always packed and when they were, many families had no way to pay for the goods.

Response

During July, Extension was contacted by the Telfair County Board of Education about becoming a collaborative partner for a weekly distribution of the Farmers to Families Food Boxes, we excitedly agreed! With the anticipation of school starting back in August, no boxes were ordered as the school site would be unavailable to receive visitors with school in session. Upon hearing this, Extension stepped up and applied to become a distribution site. Working with several community partners such as the Telfair County Farmers Market, the Telfair County Firefighters, the Telfair County Farm Bureau, The Telfair County Commissioners, McRae-Helena Public Works, and the Telfair County Recreation, Extension has been able to provide an additional two rounds of food box distribution in September and October, resulting in another seven weeks of food box delivery to Telfair County citizens. Extension is also providing SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) materials to participants during the weekly food distributions, in addition to online videos for recipes for using the weekly food box items.

Impact

RESULTS: The Farmers to Families Food Distribution partnership resulted in a total of 7,048 boxes of food valued at well over a quarter of a million dollars ($254,000.00) of free and fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat products to countless Telfair County families. This is a huge economic impact for a rural, poverty-stricken county. The July round of food boxes alone resulted in over $57,000 worth being provided to the families of Telfair County through 2,800 boxes. Add to that with the September boxes valued at $28,600 through 1,440 boxes and the October boxes valued at $168,480 through 2,808 boxes and Telfair County families have received over $254,000.00 through 7,048 boxes of food. For many families, this weekly food box has provided more than just food, it has provided hope and assurance that they are not forgotten and their families are important and cared for. The smiles and the gratitude that are given to each volunteer weekly is reassurance for Extension that this was indeed a much needed and much appreciated endeavor. In addition to the tremendous food value this has provided Telfair county, Extension’s response required many volunteers weekly to ensure that this initiative ran smoothly and accomplished the goals of providing as many families with food as possible. Each week, Extension coordinated at least 20 volunteers, resulting in $2,034.00 worth of additional services provided to local citizens – that is $28,476.00 of in-kind support over the span of this three-month initiative! Finally, in an attempt to ensure this food did not go to waste, the FACS Agent authored Facebook videos with quick, easy, and many no cook recipes that would provide different ideas on how to easily prepare the food in each week’s delivery. To date, these eight videos have been viewed 5,599 times in 23 states across the nation and even one foreign country! Additionally, over 2,500 recipe cards from SNAP-Ed have been distributed, as well as information on joining the SNAP-Ed Food eTalk online classes. Based on the number of views through the Extension Facebook page and other social media sites, it is evident that this information is being used and shared on other’s pages, impacting an even greater audience than our Farmers to Families food box recipients. The Farmers to Families initiative has allowed Extension to reach many individuals within our community that have never utilized Extension’s services before with nearly 86% of survey participants reporting that they will actively seek out UGA Extension Programming in the future. Even more exciting is the fact that nearly 95% of survey participants of the program report that their family is now consuming more dairy and fresh fruits and vegetables daily. In addition, 100% of surveyed participants report that they will continue to look for ways to increase their consummation of dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, resulting in a much healthier community! This program has resulted in greater food security for many families within our community while exposing them to a wide variety of simple, easy to prepare menus which will provide health benefits for everyone. Remarks from participants: “Laura and her group ALWAYS exceed in taking care of Telfair County!” – Food Box Recipient from week 1, “Our family is very appreciative on this service and the other services provided by our extension office in Telfair County. Laura Smith, her staff, and volunteers have coordinated distribution of the food boxes and have done a WONDERFUL job” – Food Box Recipient from week 3, “I LOVE this program!!! It has helped my family save so much on groceries!!! It has also introduced new foods to our family”- Food Box Recipient from week 7

State Issue

Health & Wellness

Details

• Year: 2020
• Geographic Scope: Multi-County
• County: Telfair
• Location: College Station, Athens
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources
  • Family and Consumer Sciences