From Farm to Foodbank
The Canadian poet and novelist Brian Brett once said, “Farming is a profession of hope.” For that reason, and so many more, the professional lives of farmers and foodbankers are deeply intertwined. With that in mind, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore is embarking on a new pilot project in Western Tidewater to lease land, partner with a farmer, and produce our own crops.
“The spirit of partnership is woven throughout this project, and I think the level of collaboration we are working toward will touch a lot of lives,” says Foodbank President & CEO Christopher Tan.
It all began when New Life Church in Franklin, which owns 20 acres of farmland, offered to lease it to the Foodbank at a favorable rate. We chose Elisha Barnes, a local minority farmer who owns Pop Son Farm, to farm the land.
“It was important to us that we partner with a minority farmer,” says Christopher. “Historically, minority farmers have been systemically blocked from the support and resources commonly available to white farmers. Evidence spanning eight decades of USDA denial of loans to socially disadvantaged farmers demonstrates a long history of discrimination. That’s why we want to partner with a family farmer of color to strengthen the food system in the Franklin area and develop a means of production that results in food security for the region.”
Here’s how it will work: Mr. Barnes will tend to the entire 20 acres, of which he will retain all the crops he chooses to grow on 10 of those acres. On the other half, he will care for crops selected by the Foodbank, most likely cabbage, collards, and broccoli in the fall and melons and corn in the spring and summer. Students from local schools will assist in harvesting.
Once harvested, the nutritious fresh food will be distributed through the market at the Foodbank’s Western Tidewater Branch and food pantries throughout the region.
As a pilot program, results will dictate what happens going forward. However, if all goes well, the Foodbank plans to initiate similar projects on the Eastern Shore and in South Hampton Roads.
Thanks to support from donors like you, pilot projects like Farm to Foodbank are possible. Thank you!
See How Expansion Changes Lives
“The spirit of partnership is woven throughout this project, and I think the level of collaboration we are working toward will touch a lot of lives,” says Foodbank President & CEO Christopher Tan.
It all began when New Life Church in Franklin, which owns 20 acres of farmland, offered to lease it to the Foodbank at a favorable rate. We chose Elisha Barnes, a local minority farmer who owns Pop Son Farm, to farm the land.
“It was important to us that we partner with a minority farmer,” says Christopher. “Historically, minority farmers have been systemically blocked from the support and resources commonly available to white farmers. Evidence spanning eight decades of USDA denial of loans to socially disadvantaged farmers demonstrates a long history of discrimination. That’s why we want to partner with a family farmer of color to strengthen the food system in the Franklin area and develop a means of production that results in food security for the region.”
Here’s how it will work: Mr. Barnes will tend to the entire 20 acres, of which he will retain all the crops he chooses to grow on 10 of those acres. On the other half, he will care for crops selected by the Foodbank, most likely cabbage, collards, and broccoli in the fall and melons and corn in the spring and summer. Students from local schools will assist in harvesting.
Once harvested, the nutritious fresh food will be distributed through the market at the Foodbank’s Western Tidewater Branch and food pantries throughout the region.
As a pilot program, results will dictate what happens going forward. However, if all goes well, the Foodbank plans to initiate similar projects on the Eastern Shore and in South Hampton Roads.
Thanks to support from donors like you, pilot projects like Farm to Foodbank are possible. Thank you!
See How Expansion Changes Lives
Western Tidewater Branch
Exceeds Expectations
After nearly two years of planning and development, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore opened its new Western Tidewater Branch in the City of Franklin last September. Eight months into its operation, the impact of this new facility is being profoundly felt.
In terms of food delivered, the numbers are striking. Throughout the region, the Foodbank has distributed nearly 1.4 million pounds of food, which translates into more than 1.1 million meals for our food insecure neighbors. Of that, nearly 38 percent was fresh produce.
“We get regular stories from our neighbors about how much this food means to them,” says Foodbank Donor and Community Partnerships Manager Teri Zurfluh. “We’ve had people tell us that if it weren’t for us, they wouldn’t eat at all. We’ve also heard several stories about how people have gotten good reports from their doctors about their A1C levels and other health measures.”
Aside from the food being distributed through partner agencies, pantries, and the branch’s market, this new facility also has space for community partners to provide services that address the root causes of food insecurity such as issues related to health, employment, housing, education, and financial literacy. “This facility is a game-changer for this community,” says Teri. “The first floor offers unprecedented food access to our neighbors in Western Tidewater, but the second floor is where the magic happens. By tackling the root causes of food insecurity and providing access to experts and resources, we are changing lives here.
“We work with the Medicare Resource Center, and their representative helps our neighbors know more about the ins and outs of Medicare and how to pick the right plan. She saved one elderly couple several thousands of dollars a year by getting them into a more affordable plan that was better for them.”
Another success story: A local contractor lost his job just before the holidays. In reaching out to the Foodbank, he discovered that we do more than just provide food. He had no computer and had been attempting to take some complicated online classes for a potential employer using his phone. Foodbank staff set him up in our computer lab to take a series of OSHA modules. Upon completion, he was able to print his certificates for that employer and was hired immediately for a highly sought-after position. Each day, we are reminded that the fight against food insecurity is not won by a single battle, but rather a series of little victories just like these.
Your gifts help tackle the root causes of hunger and have a true impact on the lives of our neighbors. Thank you for doing all you can to help!
Read How Data Helps With Food Deserts
In terms of food delivered, the numbers are striking. Throughout the region, the Foodbank has distributed nearly 1.4 million pounds of food, which translates into more than 1.1 million meals for our food insecure neighbors. Of that, nearly 38 percent was fresh produce.
“We get regular stories from our neighbors about how much this food means to them,” says Foodbank Donor and Community Partnerships Manager Teri Zurfluh. “We’ve had people tell us that if it weren’t for us, they wouldn’t eat at all. We’ve also heard several stories about how people have gotten good reports from their doctors about their A1C levels and other health measures.”
Aside from the food being distributed through partner agencies, pantries, and the branch’s market, this new facility also has space for community partners to provide services that address the root causes of food insecurity such as issues related to health, employment, housing, education, and financial literacy. “This facility is a game-changer for this community,” says Teri. “The first floor offers unprecedented food access to our neighbors in Western Tidewater, but the second floor is where the magic happens. By tackling the root causes of food insecurity and providing access to experts and resources, we are changing lives here.
“We work with the Medicare Resource Center, and their representative helps our neighbors know more about the ins and outs of Medicare and how to pick the right plan. She saved one elderly couple several thousands of dollars a year by getting them into a more affordable plan that was better for them.”
Another success story: A local contractor lost his job just before the holidays. In reaching out to the Foodbank, he discovered that we do more than just provide food. He had no computer and had been attempting to take some complicated online classes for a potential employer using his phone. Foodbank staff set him up in our computer lab to take a series of OSHA modules. Upon completion, he was able to print his certificates for that employer and was hired immediately for a highly sought-after position. Each day, we are reminded that the fight against food insecurity is not won by a single battle, but rather a series of little victories just like these.
Your gifts help tackle the root causes of hunger and have a true impact on the lives of our neighbors. Thank you for doing all you can to help!
Read How Data Helps With Food Deserts
757 Mobile Market Relaunch
In 2021, the Foodbank rolled out a new method of delivering nutritious food to those who need it most. Customizing large RV-like vehicles filled with fresh vegetables and produce, lean protein, and other healthy foods, we steered our shiny new 757 Mobile Markets toward food deserts throughout the service area.
Though the markets were well received, we saw mixed results. Leaders at the Foodbank determined that we needed hard data — information that could help us determine exactly where to go, when to go, and how often. Areas where few people have their own transportation or convenient access to public transportation would be given high priority.
After relaunching in January of this year, the results thus far have been encouraging. While we are serving fewer sites, we are visiting them more often and at varied times. Using a computerized self-enrollment intake tool, we are also improving the client experience, speeding up the intake process.
After initial registration, neighbors receive a key tag that can be scanned at future visits. Currently, we are serving approximately 50 households per visit. Since the Market is large enough to accommodate up to 70 households, we will continue to refine the process.
These improvements are not solely the result of data analytics. The Foodbank has also enlisted eight community partners to help us further engage the people living in these food deserts.
Thank you for helping to bring nutritious food into our area’s food deserts.
Meet a Foodbanker: Elliot Simon
Though the markets were well received, we saw mixed results. Leaders at the Foodbank determined that we needed hard data — information that could help us determine exactly where to go, when to go, and how often. Areas where few people have their own transportation or convenient access to public transportation would be given high priority.
After relaunching in January of this year, the results thus far have been encouraging. While we are serving fewer sites, we are visiting them more often and at varied times. Using a computerized self-enrollment intake tool, we are also improving the client experience, speeding up the intake process.
After initial registration, neighbors receive a key tag that can be scanned at future visits. Currently, we are serving approximately 50 households per visit. Since the Market is large enough to accommodate up to 70 households, we will continue to refine the process.
These improvements are not solely the result of data analytics. The Foodbank has also enlisted eight community partners to help us further engage the people living in these food deserts.
- Center for Global Diplomacy
- New Light FGB Church
- Seatack Recreation Center
- JenCare Senior Medical Center
- Revival Center
- Tidewater Community College Joint Library
- Colony Mobile Home
- Colonial Run Mobile Home
Thank you for helping to bring nutritious food into our area’s food deserts.
Meet a Foodbanker: Elliot Simon
Doing More Than His Share
This year, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore is trending toward distributing about 20 million pounds of food. That is a large number. Historic, in fact. How does the Foodbank move that much food? With team members like Elliot Simon.
A truck driver for the Foodbank for nearly 21 years, Elliot is a beloved member of the Foodbank family. “My favorite thing about Elliot is that he truly cares about our organization, and he isn’t afraid to challenge us,” says Foodbank Transportation Manager Sarah Mathews. “He is constantly giving feedback about how we can improve logistics and operations, which is very helpful to me as a new leader in this department.
“The second thing I appreciate about Elliot is he is always there no matter what. This past Saturday, we called him at 5 a.m. to cover a mobile pantry at the last minute. He came right in and took care of it with a smile on his face. He is always there for us when we need him. What’s more, he’s got an infectious smile. Once you get him talking and smiling, he can light up a room!”
Over more than two decades, there is little doubt that Elliot has had opportunities to work elsewhere. Why has he stayed? “I love my job, doing what I do,” he says. “I love helping people and giving back. God blessed me, so I’ve got to bless others. That’s what He’s asked me to do. When you wake up in the morning, can you pay for that first breath? No, you just say thank you and do what you can to show you’re grateful.”
Read the Full Newsletter
A truck driver for the Foodbank for nearly 21 years, Elliot is a beloved member of the Foodbank family. “My favorite thing about Elliot is that he truly cares about our organization, and he isn’t afraid to challenge us,” says Foodbank Transportation Manager Sarah Mathews. “He is constantly giving feedback about how we can improve logistics and operations, which is very helpful to me as a new leader in this department.
“The second thing I appreciate about Elliot is he is always there no matter what. This past Saturday, we called him at 5 a.m. to cover a mobile pantry at the last minute. He came right in and took care of it with a smile on his face. He is always there for us when we need him. What’s more, he’s got an infectious smile. Once you get him talking and smiling, he can light up a room!”
Over more than two decades, there is little doubt that Elliot has had opportunities to work elsewhere. Why has he stayed? “I love my job, doing what I do,” he says. “I love helping people and giving back. God blessed me, so I’ve got to bless others. That’s what He’s asked me to do. When you wake up in the morning, can you pay for that first breath? No, you just say thank you and do what you can to show you’re grateful.”
Read the Full Newsletter
