Farm to Food Bank: How Local Harvests Like Izzy’s Field Corn Help Feed Our Community

At Izzy’s Field in Courtland, sweet corn enters our farm to food bank program the day it is picked and reaches Hampton Roads kitchens within days. Farmer Elisha Barnes manages twenty acres with help from volunteer crews. The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore moves the crop through its network to nearly two hundred partner agencies. The Field honors the late Izzie Brown, a former Foodbank manager who helped shape this work, with support from New Life Church Global and Kroger. The purpose is direct: reduce waste and put fresh food on the table for the 132,240 neighbors in our service area who face food insecurity.

What Is a Farm to Food Bank Program?

In our farm-to-food bank program, local produce moves on a short, reliable path. The farmer harvests on schedule, volunteer crews pitch in during peak windows, and the Foodbank cools, routes, and delivers to partner agencies. Keeping the loop local preserves quality and reduces waste.

Foodbank Farm Partnerships at Work

Strong foodbank farm partnerships run on clear roles and steady communication. Izzy’s Field uses a growing and distribution rhythm that matches the crop and the calendar.

Farm plan. Part of the acreage is planted with Foodbank-requested produce, so supply matches local demand.
Volunteer windows. Crews sign up for planting and harvest shifts tied to crop stages rather than fixed dates.
Routing and delivery. The Foodbank receives, cools, and routes the harvest to agencies that place orders or host mobile distributions.

Clear roles, set windows, and shared schedules keep the harvest moving without delay.

Corn Harvest Donation: Summer Need, Practical Food

Corn fits summer needs. School meals pause, grocery bills rise, and donations often slow. A well-timed corn harvest donation arrives when demand is high and cooks quickly at home.

The first season at Izzy’s Field produced more than 38,000 pounds of sweet corn.
This year’s pick is on pace to exceed that number.
Fresh produce now accounts for 31.9% of the Foodbank’s total distribution, with a 42% year-over-year increase in produce.

Corn stores briefly, travels well from Field to fridge, and pairs with foods many households already have on hand.

Supporting Local Agriculture and Short Supply Chains

A lasting farm to food bank approach must work for farms and families. Virginia offers practical tools that keep growers involved, while local routing preserves quality.

Food Crop Donation Tax Credit. A 50% credit on the value of donated Virginia-grown products.
Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program (VAFAP). Support for harvesting, packaging, processing, and transportation tied to donations.
Local routes. Short trips preserve texture and flavor for corn and other tender crops and keep transport costs predictable.

Supporting local agriculture here means fuel, clean bins, refrigeration where needed, and staff time to coordinate crews. These tools keep farms engaged year after year.

Volunteers Keep the Timeline Short

Harvest days move quickly. A clear plan and simple expectations help new volunteers contribute from the first hour.

Staging and transport. Orientation takes place at The Hubs Vine in Franklin, followed by a safety review and a ride to the Field.
Start times. Shifts often begin around 6:30 a.m. Staff demonstrate picking and handling, and stay nearby to answer questions.
Age and ability. Volunteers must be at least twelve years old and able to lift harvest containers. Distribution roles are available for people who prefer work off the Field.
Food safety. Clean hands, clean bins, and quick cooling protect quality from Field to agency.

Bring water, sun protection, and closed-toe shoes. Tools and training are provided on-site.

Local Farm Food Donations: Why Shorter Paths Matter

Local farm food donations spend less time in transit and more time in kitchens. That improves results for families and agencies.

Short routes keep corn and other produce fresher at delivery.
Transport and storage are easier to plan when fields are near the hub.
A regional supply is more resilient to weather or market shifts.

The model scales when routes and roles are set in advance. In 2024, Virginia’s food banks partnered with 65 agricultural producers and moved nearly 2 million pounds of fresh produce statewide.

What Changed Last Season

Here are the concrete changes from the Izzy’s Field harvest and routing:

38,000+ pounds of sweet corn delivered in the first season, with this year trending higher.
Fresh produce reached 31.9% of total distribution, with a 42% year-over-year increase in produce volume.
Turnaround measured in days, with corn harvested in Courtland routed through the hub and picked up by partner agencies within the same week.
Agencies planned distributions in advance because crop plans and delivery windows were shared ahead of harvest.
Growers received full credit for income on designated acres and credits applied under the Food Crop Donation Tax Credit when donations occurred.
Less waste in the Field and in transit, with crops harvested on schedule and routed before quality declined.
Volunteer rosters filled early morning shifts, including crews from faith groups, schools, and local businesses.

These outcomes align with the Foodbank’s broader record. The organization is the fourth-largest food bank in Virginia and distributed 24 million pounds in a single fiscal year. More than 70% of that food was categorized as healthy, and produce was the largest share. A well-run farm to food bank program helps keep those numbers moving in the right direction.

What Comes Next for Foodbank Farm Partnerships

The plan is to build a calendar that spreads planting and harvest across the year and across sites. Izzy’s Field will anchor the work while new locations in South Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore come online.

Early crops and training in spring and early summer.
Larger harvests in late summer and early fall, when family needs are highest.
Cold-weather crops and smart storage to maintain produce flow into winter.

With more acres and a broader crop mix, deliveries can stay steady through the seasons.

How to Support the Farm to Food Bank Program

There are several practical ways to help. Each one strengthens the next harvest and keeps the program reliable.

Volunteer. Sign up for Field, transport, or distribution shifts on the Foodbank website.
Donate. Fund fuel, cold storage, containers, and the coordination staff who manage timing and safety.
Connect. Introduce farms with surplus crops or acreage they would like to dedicate.
Advocate. Support VAFAP and the Food Crop Donation Tax Credit so local farm food donations remain feasible at scale.

A Local Solution With Room to Grow

This farm-to-food bank program reduces waste, supports growers, and puts fresh produce within reach for households across Hampton Roads. Visit The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to join a volunteer shift, make a contribution, or connect a farm that is ready to participate. With steady partners and a clear plan, local harvests will keep feeding local tables.

Categories : General