The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank reports that its partnership with the Snead’s Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program resulted in 57,578 pounds of produce and other farm goods being distributed through the Food Bank’s various programs in the community in 2023.
The Food Bank estimates that the goods translated into nearly 48,000 meals for neighbors in need over the past growing season. The partnership allowed the Food Bank to help more people access fresh, locally grown produce—a food category that delivers important nutrition but is often out of reach for lower-income families. It also proved an economical solution—with good delivered at an average price of $0.29 per pound—while also helping to support farms like Snead’s and the handful of other family farms that supply the CSA.
The partnership started when two generous donors purchased 25 shares of the Snead’s Farm CSA on behalf of the Food Bank. The CSA is a membership program the farm runs from May through October each year. Members get a weekly box of produce, along with pick-your-own produce opportunities throughout the growing season. The CSA program starts in asparagus season, runs through peach, melon and berry season, and finishes up with pumpkins, sweet potatoes and winter squash. All produce is grown at Snead’s Farm and other family farms in the Fredericksburg region.
As part of this partnership, Snead’s Farm was able to supplement the donated shares with extra loads of watermelons, corn, pumpkins and other items. Members were also able to donate their boxes when on vacation.
“This has made such a huge impact on the community while supporting local farms as well as feeding our neighbors in need with the most nutritional locally grown commodities,” Food Bank leaders said in a statement. “We are more than happy to grow this partnership with Snead’s Farm and by doing so we have already started planning for next year.”
So far, the Food Bank has raised more than $13,000 toward its goal of $25,000 for the purchase of CSA shares (which Snead’s Farm sells to the organization at a discounted rate) in 2024. If you would like to donate to this effort to connect more people in the Fredericksburg region with the nutrition of fresh, locally grown produce—while also supporting family farms—visit the Food Bank’s donation page here.