Texans are a giving breed. If their neighbor is in need, they’ll bend over backwards to help out. That’s one of the reasons I’m proud to call this state home. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see true Texas charity in action. It’s a unique partnership between Texas farmers and ranchers, the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Food Bank Network where the farmers donate their excess farm fresh produce, eggs, milk and meat to be distributed to food pantries across the state.
The program, called “Texans Feeding Texans,” encourages farmers and ranchers to donate their products to one of the 19 regional food banks across the state. I had the chance to visit the Capital Area Food Bank in Austin and meet their President and CEO Hank Perret.
Hank Perret, president and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank in Austin, talks with a team member about coordinating volunteers to sort donations.
Hank and his team are working toward a goal of collecting at least half of the food donations that fill their 60,000 square foot center from local farms.
Thousands of pounds of fresh produce wait to be distributed to Central Texas food pantries.
To reach that goal, Hank and the Capital Area Food Bank team rely on farmers like Jason Jones of Vital Farms. Jason raises pasture fed chickens on a farm just minutes from the food bank. Every week, he donates eggs to go to hungry Texans.
Jason Jones, co-owner of Vital Farms, collects eggs to donate to the Capital Area Food Bank.
The Texans Feeding Texans program is a great example of Texans reaching out to help their neighbors. I believe that healthy eating is a right, not a privilege set aside for those who can afford it. Farm fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs and meat should be incorporated into our diets—regardless of economic status or situation. I applaud the Texas farmers and ranchers and the regional food banks for making fresh, healthy food available to all Texans.
To learn more about the Texans Feeding Texans program, read my latest article in Texas Agriculture, Texas Farm Bureau’s membership publication.
Amanda,
Is there a way to find out if any local farmers in the Wichita Falls area are participating in this or if our local food bank accepts farm fresh products?
Thanks,
Lindsey
Lindsey, the best place to check is with the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, http://www.wfafb.org. They are the regional food bank for the area and can give a local perspective to the program. Feel free to email me if you need any additioinal information. Thanks for reading!
Amanda, I am with the Food Bank of Corpus Christi and would like to know if any of our local farmers or ranchers participate in the “share an acre” program or are willing to donate to the food bank to support our mission of feeding hungry Texans.
Thanks, James
Hi, James,
That’s a good question. Let me check with the county Farm Bureau offices in Nueces and San Patricio counties. They represent local farmers in the area and will know in which programs their members participate. I’ll be sure to reply here when I have more information.
Thanks for reading Texas Table Top,
Amanda
James,
I just spoke with the county Farm Bureau offices in Nueces and San Patricio counties. They both said that farmers in the area mostly grow wheat, cotton and corn, which aren’t great for donating direct to a food bank. However, you are welcome to contact them directly to talk about the program. The Nueces County Farm Bureau in Robstown can be reached at (361) 387-3501, and the San Patricio County Farm Bureau in Sinton can be reached at (361) 364-1392.
AH