Food insecurity describes a household’s inability to supply enough food for each member to live an active, healthy life. In Eastern Kentucky, one out of every six individuals is unsure where their next meal will come from, and Laurel County has a 16.4% insecurity rate in the entire county.  The God’s Pantry Food Bank serves over 50 counties in Central and Eastern Kentucky.   With donations that are made to the pantry, they can supply more meals to families who have food insecurities.

The Laurel County Extension ANR, HORT, FCS, and 4-H partnered with the London Laurel Farmers Market and Laurel County Cattleman to prepare a “trash can dinner” that would help raise money for the food insecurities that were recently caused in Eastern Kentucky 2022 floods. The event was named in honor of the former Laurel County Extension Horticulture Agent, Bonnie Sigmon, who recently passed away this year. Bonnie began the Farmers Feast in hopes to highlight the farmers of the county as well as helping with donations for food insecurities. The dinner was made up of large stainless steel pots that had 7 layers of fresh vegetables and smoked sausage.   All vegetables were locally grown within the county and donated by the local farmers. Cakes were donated from Homemakers, local businesses, and other organizations for a live cake auction. The Farmer’s Market was lined with tables that highlighted vases of locally grown flowers. During the event, local farmers surrounded the Farmers Market with displays of samples from their farms. Over 250 people were in attendance for the event with over $12,000 being raised to help support Gods Pantry Food Bank and the flood relief efforts in Eastern Kentucky. This amount would bring over 84,000 meals to families.