‘Nutritious and Delicious’ Served at Southampton Food Pantry

What would it be like growing up and never knowing the taste of fresh broccoli or the first bite of a succulent apple?

It’s a reality that some children in at-need and food-insecure families face every day. Fortunately, there are several organizations throughout Bucks County that are working to distribute fresh produce and provide nutritional education for families most in need.

One such organization, Jesus Focus Food Pantry in Churchville, has set up for the first time in its 25-year history, a Farmers’ Market.

According to Jesus Focus Food Pantry director, Mary Dougherty, there are approximately 1,700 people that attend the food pantry. Over the years, the pantry has been seeking to increase its fresh vegetable and fruit distribution, however, was unsure if the pantry’s clients would readily embrace such food options. 

On the morning of June 20, the food pantry held its first farmers market, which was well-received by clients of the pantry.

Many clients brought along their children, as they perused a buffet style set-up, gazing at and sampling from tables filled with a variety of luscious greens – some of which have not been seen by those on both sides of the table.

“It’s called a Kohlrabi,” Sarah Robinson, Jesus Focus Food Pantry volunteer, said as she was chopping the vegetable for samples. “It tastes like an apple, and it does smell like one.”

The vegetables were showcased in overflowing large, wooden baskets. Such produce included:

• Beats
• Organic Lettuce
• Kale
• Red Russian Kale
• White turnips

The produce were donated mostly by two organizations: Delaware Valley College’s Charitable Garden, through the Bucks County Opportunity Council, as well as through the nonprofit Rolling Harvest.

Along with providing the fresh produce, volunteers also shared recipes and explained the nutritional value of the produce available there, otherwise known as “Super foods.”

“It’s like a nutritional powerhouse,” Irma Jennings, a Rolling Harvest volunteer, said. “It’s high in nutrition and low on calories.”

Jennings, a New Hope-based nutritionist, focusing on bone health, said that she volunteers with Rolling Harvest in order to help food pantry clients learn more about the value of eating fresh produce.

“I wanted to help broaden their taste so they will take them home and eat it,” Jennings said. “Education begins with taste.”

‘Connecting Local farmers with Neighbors in Need’

Rolling Harvest, a Lumberville-based organization, provides fresh produce to hunger-relief sites, food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and senior housing throughout Bucks County and New Jersey.

Its founder, Cathy Snyder, said that the nonprofit was started four years ago, when she saw the need for fresh produce options at a food pantry.

“I thought, we have to do better, so I just started asking farmers at the farmers markets if they had any surplus,” Snyder said. “The surplus that we get is more beautiful than anything you’ll find out of a supermarket.”

Soon, Snyder found herself being invited directly to nearby farms, and being invited to glean from the farmers’ harvest. There are at least 18 local farms that donate to Rolling Harvest, whose motto is "Connecting Local Farmers with Neighbors in Need."

Their partnership with Jesus Focus Food Pantry is also a first, and shares with them the understanding that a healthy body is the first means of working toward a healthy life.

“It gives them the nutrition needed to get back on their feet,” Snyder said.

“She’s an amazing lady, and she’s a mover and a shaker for the community,” Brianna McGonagle, Food Program manager for the Bucks County Opportunity Council, said.

McGonagle visited the Jesus Focus Food Pantry farmers’ market that morning. She said that the Delaware Valley College’s 2-acres Charitable Garden held a pilot program with Jesus Focus and other Bucks County food pantries last year, donating fresh produce to them. She said she is excited to see that the donations have helped establish a growing fresh-produce program at Jesus Focus Food Pantry.  

McGonagle also notes that through the educational efforts at such farmers markets, clients of the county’s food pantries may start to want more of the fresh produce. With this increase of interest, she said that the Bucks County Opportunity Council will directly partner with Rolling Harvest in order to expand distribution of  fresh produce.

According to volunteers at the event, as it is still early in the growing season, future food pantry farmers’ markets may include a wider variety of vegetables and fruits.

Other Jesus Focus Farmers’ Market dates are July 18 and Aug. 15.

For more information about the Jesus Focus Food Pantry, call 215-953-2000.

Both the Bucks County Opportunity Council and Rolling Harvest have volunteer opportunities in weeding the gardens, harvesting or gleaning, and are also accepting monetary donations.

For more about the Bucks County Opportunity Council, visit www.bcoc.org. For more information about Rolling Harvest, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rollingharvestfoodrescue, visit www.rollingharvest.org or contact Cahty Snyder at 267-293-0085. 

For more healthy recipe ideas www.food4healthybones.com.