SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Farms and Food Banks : A Deeply Rooted Connection
Farms and food banks have a long history of collaborating to tackle food insecurity and food waste , including surplus produce donations , food rescue programs and gleaning programs . This growing partnership highlights the unique ability of food banks and farms to work together and impact lives in multiple ways .
In West Virginia , Mountaineer Food Bank ( MFB ) has worked with farms and orchards of all different sizes . In the Eastern Panhandle , MFB has brought fresh fruits , like apples and peaches , to communities in need .
Partnerships have increased in the past five years , with the Local Food Purchase Assistance ( LFPA ) program and support through state government . The LFPA is a federally funded program that allows MFB to purchase from local farms , resulting in almost $ 2 million re-invested in the local economy over the past two years . Small farms such as Cooper Farms in Hampshire County have increased their sales , acreage and staff and improved their own lifestyle .
Tim and Becca Cooper own and operate Cooper Farms in Points , WV . In 2014 , when expecting their first child , they started growing vegetables for their family and quickly expanded .
“ We always knew we wanted to farm ourselves , but this made us realize we wanted to be produce farmers and help feed people ,” Tim says .
Tim and Becca have six high tunnels allowing year-round production and five daughters who love to help out around the farm . In 2023 , they started working with MFB to provide local produce and pork , drastically reducing their food waste .
The investment in fresh , nutritious fruits and vegetables allows MFB to focus on feeding the one in seven neighbors struggling in West Virginia while providing them with foods that improve their health . MFB operates a variety of programs that focus on the most vulnerable , including seniors , children and veterans . The food bank ’ s ability to add local foods with these programs has a multiplier effect for farms that take a certain pride in feeding their neighbors in the state .
To learn more on how to support your neighbors in need , visit www . mountaineerfoodbank . org .
CONTACT US
( 304 ) 364-5518 304 941-0600 info @ mountaineerfoodbank . org wvexecutive . com mountaineerfoodbank . org 8 Capitol Street , Charleston 484 Enterprise , WV Drive 25301 Gassaway , WV 26624