Growing up in a small North Carolina town, I was lucky enough to find work every summer during middle school on a watermelon farm. That’s where my passion for agriculture all started – spending long, hot days lifting heavy bins of fruit and enjoying the sweet reward of unlimited delicious melon and a little extra cash in my pocket.
Earlier this year, I traded a tractor seat for a desk chair to join the mission of the Capital Area Food Bank and help coordinate the 2015 Fresh Produce Grant. For years, this program has been connecting those in need with fresh, local produce that is grown in a sustainable way.
Every year, the food bank teams up with two farms to offer this grant opportunity to nine of our food assistance partners. Clagett Farm is located in Upper Marlboro, MD, and Waterpenny Farm is near Sperryville, VA. Partners in DC and Maryland pick up produce directly from Clagett Farm, while those in Virginia pick up Waterpenny produce from the food bank’s Northern Virginia distribution center. Each participating food assistance partner received over 4,000 pounds of produce through this program last year. Clagett Farm grows over 40 different types of produce and Waterpenny Farm grows about two dozen types.
Click here for more information about and to apply for the program. Applications will be accepted until March 13th.
For questions, please contact Kevin Longhany at klonghany@capitalareafoodbank.org or by phone at 202-644-9846.