Farm Share Distributes Fresh Produce to Miami’s Food Insecure

There is a serving to hand for food-insecure South Floridians this weekend (and lots of weekends, for that matter).

Based in Homestead, Farm Share has distributed greater than 100 million kilos of meals yearly in the course of the previous three years. Its meals distribution peaked in 2021 when the nonprofit distributed greater than 135 million kilos of meals. The uptick was resulting from these impacted financially and health-wise by the pandemic.

Drive-thru meals distributions stay crucial for Farm Share to get items to these in want. This week alone, the nonprofit partnered with the Violence Reduction Partnership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Miami-Dade Police Department for an occasion at Gwen Cherry Park. Additionally, they held a distribution occasion in Liberty City with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

Farm Share has eight distribution facilities all through the state, together with its Homestead hub. According to Farm Share’s CEO Stephen Shelley, the group holds greater than 1,000 distribution occasions yearly.

“Lots of the time, these occasions and places are pushed by the companions we now have – native businesses, nonprofits, or a meals pantry – centered on feeding a sure, underserved space or municipality,” Shelley tells New Times. “We schedule these occasions, and recurring occasions, to make sure that residents have entry to meals.”

A trio of meals distribution occasions is slated for Miami this weekend, together with Friday, April 21, at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church (5909 NW Seventh St., Miami); Saturday, April 22, at 10 a.m. at Next Level Faith Center (2275 NW 62nd St., Miami); and Saturday at 10 a.m. at 690 NE 159th St., North Miami Beach.

Those interested by help might view a calendar of upcoming occasions at farmshare.org. Beyond these occasions, Shelley says that upwards of 80 to 90% of Farm Share’s items are distributed on to neighborhood companions reminiscent of meals pantries and shelters all through the state.

As for a way Farm Share will get the products it distributes, the story is in its title. Shelley says, “Our capacity and partnerships with native farmers to rescue wholesome and nutritious vegetables and fruit units us aside. Everything we acquire is completely wholesome and dietary.”

While demand for meals help is not at its COVID peak, Shelley says that issues are nonetheless elevated in comparison with pre-COVID, partly resulting from rising inflation and rising client costs. On the flip facet, if of us on the market wish to assist its mission and food-insecure neighbors, there are avenues.

“I’d encourage everybody to go to our web site. Monetary donations are all the time welcome that help our distribution efforts,” he says. “And, in fact, we search for volunteers that may assist us pre-pack at our warehouses and assist distribute immediately.”