To Expand Access to Fresh Produce for Food-Insecure Families in Southern Maryland The Hub and Spoke Task Force formed in August 2013 to identify effective ways to improve distribution of fresh, locally grown produce to food-insecure families in Southern Maryland. Staffed by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), the Task Force met with many members of the community, including public health officials, University of Maryland educators, Food Banks, farmers, churches, pantries, Department of Corrections, and school Superintendents to assess the needs of the community and develop a series of recommendations for the program. The Hub and Spoke proposes to be a three-year pilot program in which fresh, locally grown produce donations from farmers/gardeners are distributed to food-insecure families in the five counties of Southern Maryland. Eligible produce may be brought to a central site (Hub) which then distributes the food to food-insecure communities through mobile food drops at targeted sites (Spokes) in the community such as churches, schools or pantries. Farming 4 Hunger, a Charles County non-profit run by Bernie Fowler Jr., will serve as the central Hub for the region where farm produce can be delivered. Farming 4 Hunger has been growing and distributing farm food to the […]
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