From Highlands to Cashiers, businesses, organizations, and community members are planting to help in the fight against food insecurity.
“Food insecurity affects our children’s ability to learn, how they feel, and it also adds stress to their family life. When a child goes to bed hungry, they feel sad, and it affects their development, self-esteem, and energy,” said Andrea Smith of the Highlands Food Pantry, referencing the 27% of children in western North Carolina that are food insecure.
“Food insecurity affects many people in our community, both young and old,” said Susie Davis of Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry. “The 2020 pandemic brought this community together with wholehearted support for Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry. We have been blessed with strong financial contributions and grants. We have a strong group of core volunteers who work tirelessly to meet the needs of our community. Twelve local churches take a month each year to meet and greet our clients, load their cars, and give them hope.”
Both Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry in Cashiers and the Highlands Food Pantry express gratitude for community members willing to plant extra rows in their gardens.
“Although we receive a generous amount of staples and meat from the MANNA FoodBank, fresh produce is always lacking,” said Davis. “We strive to serve healthy food, and any and all fresh produce gives our clients the extra nutritious food groups so greatly needed. Good fresh produce in this area is expensive for our clients, and they are always thankful when we can provide it for them.”
Smith agrees.
“The donation of fresh produce has a very positive effect on our community,” said Smith. “Our members love to be able to take home fresh fruit and vegetables to provide healthy and tasty meals for their families.”
Avenues and strategies with which residents and groups choose to tackle planting for the plateau are as unique as the organizations themselves. In Lonesome Valley, residents chose to share from their community garden in 2020, donating produce to Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry, and are doing so again in 2021.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to once again work to plant for the plateau to assist with food insecurity within our community,” said Sarah Jennings, special events and marketing director at Lonesome Valley. “Lonesome Valley is filled with folks that just want to help our local community and sharing crops from our garden felt like a natural fit.”
The Cashiers United Methodist Church is offering its garden space to individuals in need of fresh vegetables. There are four available beds for personal garden use; interested parties can email plantfortheplateau@gmail.com by June 10 for more information.
“We believe in community and gardening together to provide food for ourselves and those in need is a hands-on community builder,” said Laura Plush of the Cashiers United Methodist Church.
In Highlands, the Rotaract Club is working to provide fresh produce and food-based education to Highlands Food Pantry clients.
Rotaract is currently applying for a district grant, with the support of their parent club the MountainTop Rotary Club of Highlands, to provide container gardens with veggie starts and culinary herbs, free of cost, to Highlands Food Pantry clients.
These container gardens will be assembled with herbs and edible annuals that can grow successfully in this region, either in a yard, on a porch, or indoors in a sunny window. Distribution of these container gardens will take place at the food pantry during normal shopping days later this summer.
Rotaract club members will help with distribution and will provide engagement and education in the form of dialogue and instruction sheet handouts, both in English and in Spanish.
“This initiative hopes to encourage people to learn about accessible ways of gaining food sovereignty in their daily life,” said Rachel Kinback of Rotaract Club. “There is also the goal of providing fresh and nutrient-dense greens, vegetables, and herbs for people to then eat at home and learn how to incorporate into their lifestyle and seasonal eating habits.”
Any interested resident or organization is encouraged to simply plant and donate.
“Any and all fresh produce is needed, including green beans, corn, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, and fresh greens,” said Davis. “Because we distribute food twice a week, there is little waste or spoilage.”
Fresh produce is considered a premium.
“The fresh produce that is most needed is a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, onions, potatoes, peppers, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, and cucumbers,” said Smith.
Community members who would like to learn more about planting for the plateau are invited to join the Plant for The Plateau Facebook group or email plantfortheplateau@gmail.com.
For those who lack a green thumb or space to garden, there are plenty of other avenues to raise awareness, volunteer, and donate.
“The food pantry always needs the contribution of any foods that are not out of date and can be added to the current distribution,” said Davis. “This includes canned goods, beans, rice, cereal, and personal care items. Many clients affected by food insecurity have few leftover funds for soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and skincare products. These items can be dropped into our large contribution box on the front porch of the pantry.”
Monetary donations are needed as well.
“The food pantry is always in need of monetary donations,” said Smith. “Monetary donations help us keep our shelves, refrigerators, and freezers filled with healthy fresh foods for our community members; more volunteers would allow us to expand our hours to make it more convenient for our community members.”