“I always had a passion for farming... but I found my purpose with the Food Bank.”

As grocery prices continue to rise, fresh fruits and vegetables are among the most expensive and least accessible items for people facing food insecurity. Families are often on the lookout for these items at our mobile markets and network pantries — where we always strive to improve the nutritional quality of meals and improve health outcomes for neighbors.

That’s why the Food Bank’s Bank prioritizes locally-grown produce, meat, and dairy in our food sourcing efforts. And with your support, we’re able to work with incredible North Carolina farmers like Bill Hering and the Jarvis family to make these products available throughout the region.

On his family farm at the border of Duplin and Sampson County, Bill Hering works nearly 300 acres of land, growing exclusively for the Food Bank. We’ll soon mark a decade of partnership with Bill and his team, who provide us with enough fresh produce and herbs — including versatile, culturally-familiar foods like turnips and collard greens — to fuel more than two million meals each year.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to work with the Food Bank. It kept me doing what I enjoyed and the need is clearly there for our food. It’s changed my whole perspective on what we have in that field and how it can be utilized,” Bill said. “I always had a passion for farming... but I found my purpose with the Food Bank.”

In East Durham, Immanual and Valarie Jarvis aren’t just providing the Food Bank with chicken, pork, and eggs; they’re training the
next generation of growers and producers. Each summer at Jireh Family Farm, children come to the farm to learn sustainable ways
to grow food — tasting bell peppers and other vegetables cut fresh from the vine. Over the years, they have watched children from
summer camp pursue degrees in agriculture and start their own operations.

“I think our ancestors always wanted to have an opportunity to take the produce and the sweat of their brow and turn that into money to be able to support their family,” Immanuel said. “This is something that could pass on to their children’s children.”
 

Over the past year, we’ve worked with more than 50 farms and distributors across North Carolina to source fresh products to share with our network of local food assistance sites. By supporting local agriculture, we can ensure all our neighbors — including the farmers who grow and raise our food — stay healthy and strong. When food is shared locally, everyone benefits!