Over the past 15 years, perishable products have grown to make up almost two-thirds of the food Ozarks Food Harvest distributes annually. These include foods like dairy, fresh and frozen produce, meat, non-meat protein items like eggs and beans, and other foods that are fresh or refrigerated. Fresh fruits and vegetables alone now account for 20% of the food we provide for our neighbors facing hunger.
Thanks to a nearly $200,000 grant from the Jeanette L. Musgrave Foundation – the largest grant the Full Circle Gardens program has ever received – our team has made important updates to our raised garden beds, irrigation system and produce transport at The Food Bank Farm.
Imagine a semi-truck filled with meat, fruits, vegetables, canned goods and bread. Now, instead of that perfectly usable food filling your pantry, picture it sitting in a landfill. It’s hard to fathom, especially as 1 in 5 children and 1 in 6 adults in southwest Missouri experience food insecurity. With so much edible food being thrown away, no one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from.
On a sunny afternoon, dozens of kids buzzing with excitement pour out of a school bus into the Boys and Girls Club Musgrave Unit. Many of them head into the cafeteria to grab a snack.
Here at The Food Bank, we make an effort to provide different volunteer opportunities at times that will fit nearly any schedule.
Last year was record-breaking for Ozarks Food Harvest’s Glean Team! Thanks to compassionate volunteers who donated 3,508 hours, we gleaned 25,308 pounds of produce in 2016.
Ozarks Food Harvest’s Full Circle Gardens Program has provided thousands of pounds of harvested produce from local gardens to families in need so far this season!
Each week, the neighbors surrounding Weller Community Church come together to provide fresh produce for people to take home to their families.
When Ozarks Food Harvest’s truck arrives at the Springfield church to drop off the produce, volunteers Emily and Ericka work with others sorting the fruits and vegetables to prepare for the day’s distribution.
Ozarks Food Harvest’s Glean Team began its third season on March 2 with volunteers preparing garden beds for crops at local community gardens.
Last season, volunteers gave over 1,400 hours planting and harvesting at area gardens and farms to provide nearly 23,000 pounds of fresh produce to children, families and seniors in need right here in the Ozarks.
Ozarks Food Harvest’s Glean Team wrapped up its second season in November — harvesting 20,358 pounds of produce.
Volunteers spent over 1,400 hours working in area gardens to provide nearly 17,000 meals to hungry individuals in the Ozarks.