About the Nonprofit
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Healthy Harvest Food Bank distributes 2.5 million pounds of food annually to over 7,600 individuals monthly through 30 partner agencies in Essex, Lancaster, Northumberland, Middlesex, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties. Our mission is to provide hope in the communities we serve through the right food and education. Our vision is to create healthy, self-sufficient and thriving communities.
We accomplish our work with 94% of all operating expenses going directly to feeding those in need locally through the following programs:
Emergency Food Program/Core Program ensures low-income families and individuals have access to healthy food through distribution of nutritionally balanced food (40% produce, 40% non-perishable, 10% meat, 10% dairy/bakery monthly to every individual).
Backpack Buddies - Through the Backpack Buddies program, Healthy Harvest Food Bank provides students six “child friendly” meals each Friday for the weekend in all six counties we serve. The weekend is a substantial gap in food assistance that needs to be met to give these children the best chance possible to succeed in school. We currently serve:
Lancaster County - 120 children
Northumberland County - 200 children
Richmond County - 30 children
Westmoreland County - 35 children
Middlesex County - 120 children
Essex County – 15 children
Senior Program (CSFP) – This program provides seniors 60 and above at 125% of the poverty level one additional healthy food supplement to qualified residents in Lancaster and Middlesex Counties. We currently serve:
Lancaster County – 85 seniors through 2 pantries
Middlesex County – 215 seniors
Agricultural Program- The agricultural program is a partnership with local farmers to grow produce and assure access to produce fields for gleaning and harvesting. The program impacts over 60,000 individuals each year through distribution of fresh produce. We are currently distributing 62% fresh produce to each client locally, the highest percentage of fresh produce distributed in the state of Virginia. Excess produce is distributed throughout Central, Western and Southeastern Virginia, including the Eastern Shore.
Healthy Food Pharmacy is a collaboration between Healthy Harvest Food Bank, Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic and Virginia Cooperative Extension targeting individuals who struggle with obesity, diabetes, pre-diabetes, hypertension, and other health related issues. The goal is to transform patient wellness by offering fresh produce, nutrition education and hands-on cooking classes to teach them healthy eating and living as a way of combating these health issues. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, classes have been postponed until it is deemed safe to resume. Results to date average an 18% drop in total cholesterol among participants and the food bank plans to expand the program in the future.
