July Corn Harvest: Feeding Our Community with Healthy Choices
Summer is a time of growth, renewal, and community. For us at the Foodbank, it’s also the season of our annual Corn Harvest, an event that brings fresh, pesticide-free produce to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
A Healthy Harvest
Although this corn season at Izzie’s Field experienced strong weather and heat, we successfully harvested 8,000 pounds of sweet corn over just two days thanks to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. While this was a smaller yield than last year, every ear of corn counts toward our mission of providing healthy, nutritious food to those who need it most.
Our corn and any produce we grow at the farm are grown without pesticides. This decision is driven by our desire to:
- Provide healthier options for families to incorporate fresh, organic ingredients into meals.
- Create a safer environment, protecting the health of our constituents.
- Support our natural ecosystem by reducing pollution and protecting wildlife and their habitats.
The fresh sweet corn has now been distributed through various food programs, including our community cooperative mobile food pantry.
A New Tradition Takes Root
With the second annual corn harvest complete, we continued a tradition that started last year—nominating someone special to pick the final ear of corn. Last year, our Director of Logistics, Bobby, had the honor. This year, Bobby chose Annette, a truck driver and all-around Foodbank team player from our Western Tidewater branch.
Annette has been an invaluable part of our team. Her dedication was evident through her help in planning the harvest, making deliveries, coordinating mobile pantries, and, of course, picking corn in the summer heat. It was a wonderful moment of recognition and celebration of her hard work and commitment.
What’s in Season
As the corn makes its way into the mouths of the community, work at Izzie’s Field continues for another growing season. In late August or early September, we’ll be planting collard greens with an expected harvest after the first frost in December. Additionally, we’ll be harvesting peanuts in October, providing another fresh, nutritious option for families in need.
How You Can Help
At the Foodbank, no act of service is too small, and our job is never complete. We rely on the generosity of our community, and your support can play a crucial role in our mission to fight food insecurity. Here is how you can help:
Food Donation
Drop off non-perishable food items at our food pantry donation drop-off locations. For recommendations on what to bring, read Feeding America’s Guidelines to Increase Access to Healthy Food and Beverages in Food Banks. No food donation is too small.
Volunteer
Join our dedicated team to help plant, harvest, or distribute food and make a world of a difference. We welcome individual volunteers as well as groups. Find out more ways to give in our recent blog here!
Reach Out
Tell your friends, family, and social networks to join our cause on Facebook, Instagram, X, Linkedin, TikTok, and YouTube!
Join Our Farm To Foodbank Program
If you find yourself anywhere near Franklin, Virginia, be sure to stop by Izzie’s Field and take a little time to look around at all we are doing. You can find out more about the community, the Farm, our community cooperative mobile food pantry, and any upcoming volunteer events at https://foodbankonline.org/.