"Farms to Food Banks" Funded

Now here's some good news about a public-private initiative that gets food directly to hungry people. Let this set the tone for your week.

From the press release:

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved the Kentucky Association of Food Banks for $47,500 in Agricultural Development Funds from multiple counties for their “Farms to Food Banks” initiative.  The following counties contributed funds:  Allen ($5,000); Casey ($2,500); Jessamine ($10,000); Garrard ($10,000); and Shelby ($20,000).

“I am committed to creating opportunities that will make Kentucky’s agricultural community stronger,” said Gov. Beshear.  “Projects such as this one funded by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, not only provide an additional market for farm products, but also provide an important service to Kentuckians in need.”

The Farms to Food Banks initiative provides fresh, healthy produce to Kentuckians in need, while providing additional markets for farmers. The association purchases Kentucky-grown surplus and No. 2 produce that is edible but not sellable on the retail market. The produce is distributed at no cost to low-income Kentuckians throughout the food banks network.

This project was one of the 26 proposals approved at the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board’s July business meeting.

The Kentucky Association of Food Banks is comprised of seven food banks that reach all 120 counties and serve an estimated 1 in 7 Kentuckians annually.  For more information about Farms to Food Banks, contact Tamara Sandburg at 859-358-6719 or tamara@kafb.org.