Success StoryFresh Kentucky Produce for Farms to Food Banks



Fresh Kentucky Produce for Farms to Food Banks

Author: Janet Mullins

Planning Unit: Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)

Outcome: Initial Outcome

An annual study by Feeding America, reports that one in six Kentuckians – including one in five children – was food insecure in 2014, meaning that consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year. Kentucky organizations that serve the hungry fed an estimated 58 million meals to approximately 611,000 Kentuckians in 2016. In 2017, the “Food Immunity Bill” was enacted to provide farmers and food gleaners with liability protection for donating to food banks. In 2018, faculty from Dietetics and Human Nutrition and Family & Consumer Sciences Extension worked with the Kentucky Association of Food Banks to develop a successful proposal to USDA for a Community Food Project. The $800,000 in funding for four years will equip Kentucky food banks and pantries to receive and distribute fresh, Kentucky produce. The work will reduce food insecurity and provide nutritious fruits and vegetables to hungry Kentucky families.