Healthy Harvest Food Bank Inc

Results: Of the students served through our multi-county Backpack Buddy Program: -80% reported eating more fruits & vegetables; -80% reported eating all or most of the food; -85% reported they worry less or no longer worry about having enough food for the weekend. Of the participants in our Food Farmacy class results to date average an 18% drop in total cholesterol among participants. With the help of faithful volunteers, we gleaned and harvested 494,125 pounds of fresh produce from local farms in the last year and reached our goal of providing every person served locally 50% fresh produce. The excess produce is sent to other food banks across the state of Virginia.

Target demographics: Over 10,450 children, working families, seniors, veterans and active duty military.

Geographic areas served: Northern Neck and Upper Middle Peninsula of Virginia

Programs: -Emergency Food Program/Core Program ensures individuals have access to 20 pounds or 5 days of healthy food, including a minimum 50% fresh produce. -Backpack Buddies provides six "child friendly" meals each Friday to children who need food over the weekend. We currently serve: -Lancaster County-120 children -Northumberland County-57 children -Richmond County-32 children -Westmoreland County-135 children -Middlesex County-180 children -Essex County-145 children -Senior Program (CSFP) provides seniors 60 and above at 125% of the poverty level one additional healthy food supplement each month. We currently serve: -Lancaster County-87 seniors -Middlesex County-290 seniors -Agricultural Program provides fresh produce to over 60,000 individuals each year locally and through other food banks across the state of Virginia, including the Eastern Shore. -Healthy Food Farmacy targets individuals who struggle with health related dietary issues by teaching nutrition, proper cooking techniques and healthy eating. -Healthy Harvest Fresh Educational Center and Aquaponics Production Facility will provide education and hands-on experiences for children and adults while providing a year-round supply of fresh produce and protein. -Community partnerships enable us to provide fresh produce to the elderly and homebound with Bay Aging's Meals on Wheels Program and Feed Me Too provides dog and cat food to pantry recipients with pets in partnership with the Animal Welfare League of the Northern Neck.