Every once in a while, an idea comes along that is so simple in concept and makes so much sense that you wonder why things haven’t been running that way all along. That’s what happened with the produce initiative at Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. The idea was to buy produce at wholesale prices from limited-resourced local farmers and connect those farmers to partner agencies in their area who are distributing to neighbors in need. It’s a boon for the farmers who are guaranteed a return on their investment for their harvest. It’s a blessing for the receiving agencies who get the fresh produce to distribute to their families. The families themselves benefit from the health benefits of the fresh-from-the-field produce. And Inter-Faith Food Shuttle has successfully moved that much more nutritious food from producer to distributor to recipient without ever putting a driver into a truck.
How did this get off the ground? Enter Crystal Taylor of the Black Farmers Market. Crystal is a fourth-generation farmer who has made it her personal mission to provide a self-sustainable ecosystem for black farmers and black businesses to give them fair and just opportunities. Crystal has been working with the Food Shuttle to make the connections with the small, limited-resourced farmers in the area to bring them onboard for the program. She initially thought it would be easy to get local farmers to sign on, but has met with a lot of unexpected resistance. Why? Years of distrust brought on by racism, mistreatment, and a general skepticism that the idea was “too good to be true.” But little by little, Crystal is working her way past their resistance and farmers are joining the initiative.
Crystal Taylor and her uncle Donald on the family farm
Wilbert Bryant is a perfect example of how the initiative works for all involved. Wilbert has been farming all his adult life. He was the first farmer to sign on to the produce initiative. He was very agreeable and willing to give it a try. When he got his first check, he was amazed, and he immediately planned to grow more to increase what was available for the partner agencies to distribute. Wilbert went from delivering 40 to 50 cases of collard greens to his last shipment of 150 cases of collard greens to the distributing agency. “He is excited. He is very happy about the money he’s making and how it’s changed his mindset around making money as a farmer and being able to provide more for himself and his family. And he’s produced more, too,” said Crystal.
Wilbert Bryant
At present, four farmers have joined the initiative and are being paid to get their produce into the waiting arms of families who are in need. The Food Shuttle is working with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC to connect most of these farmers to distribution agencies as the farms and the agencies are located outside of the Food Shuttle’s service area. The Food Shuttle has the agriculture assets in place to provide resources and equipment to the farmers. The Food Bank doesn’t have to duplicate these services. As such, this is another opportunity for the Food Shuttle and the Food Bank to work in cooperation to address the needs of neighbors facing hunger in central North Carolina. As the produce initiative continues to grow, more small farmers will sign on and more will be in the Food Shuttle’s service area that includes several rural counties.
“This is an effort of community taking care of community, and it’s a great way for our supporters to take part,” said L. Ron Pringle, President and CEO of Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. “For small farmers--because they are producing on a smaller scale--costs to produce are much more for them. This produce that we’re purchasing is slightly higher because of that, but we’re being intentional about ensuring these farmers can keep farming, hold onto their land, and compete in the marketplace. Your gifts enable us to keep supporting these farmers.” To make your gift of support for the Food Shuttle and the ongoing work of the produce initiative, donate here.