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"It takes a village" is certainly the case this summer at the Rutherford County Farmers Market.
The farmer sells produce, donations are made to buy the farmers' food not sold at the market, food pantries receive the fresh vegetables to donate to families and they donate the food to families across the county.
Every week at the Farmers Market much of the excess produce from farmers not sold during market hours is purchased and distributed to local food pantries. Farmers who participate in the market off Park Square in Forest City have an opportunity to sell produce they have left over at the end of the market day. Money to purchase the excess food comes from the Dale Young Pantry Fund.
The Dale Young Pantry Fund -- through Rutherford BARN -- is a way folks have donated money specifically to purchase locally farmed produce to donate to local food banks. The Pantry Fund was begun by Bob Young in honor of his wife Dale who passed away. The couple own Deer Valley Farm and the fund was created in order to buy the seasoned vegetables from farmers and to help others in her memory.
Food pantry directors and volunteers subsequently pack the fresh produce into boxes for people in Rutherford County who are eligible for free food. The fresh produce helps with food insecurities.
On Saturday, June 18, $149 was given in monetary donations and that donation purchased 71 pounds of produce for the HNGOC.
The money to buy the excess produce from the farmers comes from donations. Each third Saturday a Donation Station is set up at the farmers market and donations can be made at the table that is managed by a group of volunteers. Donations can also be made by mailing checks to Rutherford BARN, P.O. Box 464, Forest City.
Rutherford BARN is a nonprofit agriculture organization. For several years, community leaders have worked on ideas to get the fresh produce to food pantries.
On Saturday, June 18, the Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach Center (HNGOC) was the recipient of the excess produce.
"It was amazing," said HNGOC director Karen King. "A big thanks to everyone who helped and to the cooperation extension and to all who donated." King picked up the food on Saturday when the market closed and the distribution began at the Hickory Nut center on Monday morning.
"Ruff'ton Roots (another community partner) also picks up the food on Saturday and stores it until distribution days at the pantries. The food gets donated along with food that they harvest from the community garden. Everybody does what they are best at," said Stephanie Rzonca, business development specialist at Rutherford County Economic Development and President of the Board of Directors for Rutherford BARN.
"We wanted to make sure our farmers could get some money for their produce. Most of the money to buy the food comes from donations," she said.
"At the end of the market, each time we have the donation station, the pantry that we partner with for that month sends someone to collect everything that has been donated and then they distribute it to their clients as soon as possible,' said Hannah Bundy, horticulture agent for Rutherford County Cooperative Extension.
"I would add that Ruff'ton Roots tries to service all food pantries in the county," said Magnolia Long, community development director for the Town of Rutherfordton. Long is chair of the Food Insecurity Committee and was a huge catalyst for the founding and momentum of the Ruff'ton Roots Community Garden.
Ruff'ton Roots is a gathering of community volunteers coming together to grow quality produce for neighbors. The goals of the project are to unite the community under a common, generous purpose; create public space to teach and learn gardening methods; offer opportunities to be a part of shaping our town's future; foster community leadership, and to lend a hand to residents in need.
Those who volunteer with the Ruff'ton Roots Garden come together to sow, plant, water, weed, mulch, dig, harvest, wash and pack vegetables growing the garden next to St. Luke's Chapel in Rutherfordton at the intersection of Hospital Drive and Edwards Street. Volunteers are always invited.
Donations depend on how many servings of produce are available at the end of the market day, the number of people the pantries serve, and the days the pantries accept donations. With the addition of the BARN produce donation and the expansion of Ruff'ton Roots space, more people are served through some of the larger pantries such as the Senior Center, Washburn Community Outreach, BASICS and Adaville Baptist Church.
On another Saturday, 115.2 pounds or 114 household servings was bought from farmers through the donations. If bought at the grocery store it would have cost $251.
"It's incredible that we have not only made an impact on our pantries by donating fresh produce to people who need it most, but we've been able to create a system that encourages economic growth in our farmers," Long added.
Community partners express their joy that the Rutherford County Farmers Market is committed to purchase produce from local farmers at the end of farmer market days to donate to food pantries throughout the county.
"Not only does this project support our local farmers by buying produce that they didn't sell during the market, but we are continuing our mission by providing fresh, nutrient-dense food to the people who need it most," said the Cooperative Extension staff.
Anyone wishing to make donations may stop by the Donation Station table the third Saturday of the month and ask how you can help or reach out to Rutherford BARN to learn how to donate.
There are also other farmers in the county not selling at the Rutherford market who also make regular donations to the food pantries.
To learn more about the program contact Bundy at 287-6010 or the BARN at 704-297-8884.
