Dig In! Yancey Community Garden, Partners Aligned Toward Health, Reconciliation House, and TRACTOR Food and Farms coordinated efforts with over a dozen agencies to share healthy, nutritious produce and shelf-stable food to children and families in Yancey County through the Summer Food program. Between June and August of this year, the program provided six weeks of food to 145 families, including 317 children. Food was shared via delivery to the homes of enrolled families, and via pick-up locations in coordination with Yancey County Schools. This year’s program was made possible thanks to 323 hours of volunteer time.
Deliveries to families included fresh and local produce that was grown and donated by Dig In! Yancey Community Garden and procured by TRACTOR Food and Farms from farmers in WNC–a true example of neighbors feeding neighbors. Shelf-stable items were provided through MANNA Food Bank by Reconciliation House. In total, the Summer Food Program delivered over 13,000 pounds of dry goods and 7,000 pounds of produce to families. Thirty different varieties of fruits and vegetables were available, including beautiful fresh berries, tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, eggplant, and more.
One Summer Food participant shared, “the children LOVED getting the boxes and being able to try foods they’ve never had.” Another family shared a similar experience and noted that their grandson loves many types of fruits and was able to try raspberries for the first time. The food boxes also appeal to the pickiest eaters. One mom said, “It made my picky eater son try and enjoy different vegetables.” In addition to introducing children and families to new foods, the program “…helped bridge the gap. Helped on the budget like when you get to the end of the month and you’re on a set income, the food deliveries bridged the gap until you got paid again,” said a participant.
In addition to fresh produce and pantry staples, the deliveries included hygiene products such as soap, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products donated by Full Gospel Christian Church. Mountain Community Health Partnership Dental Center also provided oral hygiene kits that included toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss. Children’s books were also provided in the deliveries thanks to Reconciliation House, Yancey Library, and community donors. “My older kids loved unpacking the boxes together,” a participant said about opening the family’s delivery each week.
A newer part of the Summer Food program is the student produce markets hosted during summer school and MAGIC summer camp at Yancey County Schools. During these markets, students were also able to self-select produce of their choice to take home to their families. A Yancey County Schools staff member shared, “The amount of produce that the students (and staff) received was truly amazing. I know many of our campers and their families looked forward to this day each week.”
The Yancey Summer Food Program received critical funding this year from Yancey County Government, The Yancey Fund, AMY Wellness Foundation, Ingles, and generous contributions from the local community. This program would not be possible without the support of our funders, the participation of our many community partners and agencies, the dedication and time of our volunteers, and the skilled and invested coordination of the program’s Steering Committee.
To learn more about the Summer Food Program, support our work, or get involved as a volunteer, contact PATH staff at (828)682-7899, info@pathwnc.org, or visit www.pathwnc.org.
