The Hickman County Farmers Market, the Fiscal Court of Hickman County, Rotary Park Committee and the Hickman County Extension Office collaborated, applied, and was awarded the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Farm to Fork Grant. The Farm to Fork program entailed a dinner where all ingredients were locally sourced to highlight local farms, farmers, producers, Kentucky Proud products and recipes. The dinner would be an exclusive ticketed event held at the farmers market with the proceeds going to charity. The Hickman County Mission House was the charity to benefit from the event. All ingredients were locally sourced within 45 miles of Hickman County. The meal was prepared by Local Caterers, Bakers and Volunteers. The meal was served by the local FFA and FCCLA students.The volunteer hours contributed to the event were estimated to be valued at $5130.00.

The Farm to Fork Committee is working together to increase awareness of our local food bank, The Mission House and the Statewide Hunger Initiative. The Mission House serves as a center point of the community and is a heavily utilized resource for many in our area especially for families who experience hunger. They distribute commodities and goods to the individuals and families of Hickman County who have need. They also support the Feeding America program and have an emergency pantry and thrift store. The representatives from Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the County Judge Executive spoke during the dinner about hunger in KY and the new Farmer’s Market. The dinner generated $3,800 for The Mission House which is estimated to produce 11,400 meals for Hickman County Families.