Today was the 2 year anniversary of the Village Harvest, begun in Nov., 2014.
We introduced the Village Harvest in 2014 this way – "The cost of food continues to rise and knowing that some of our Port Royal community might find it difficult to keep food on the table, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church wants to help. We want to start a “trial” food ministry, “Village Harvest”, which would provide seasonal fresh produce once a month. As we embark on this venture, it is our hope that we can grow it to help meet the specific needs of the community we serve."
That November, 2014 we served 60. Today, two years later the number was 150. We have moved toward a market style distribution away from bags in that period.
Pounds of food distributed today was 1,384 pounds, including 1090 pounds of produce, 150 pounds of meat, and 144 pounds of assorted canned vegetables. There was also dressing and assorted medical supplies. 2 years ago we distributed 300 pounds.
Produce included spaghetti squash, potatoes, onions, peppers, broccoli and tomatoes. Meat was pork tenderloin.
Recipes given out for spaghetti squash. Cookie Davis had cooked some of the food so that people could taste it.
The number served was the highest monthly figure in 2 years. The number of pounds was the 3rd largest.
During Jan. to Nov., 2016, we have served 1,284 people with 11,648 pounds of food. The comparable figures for 2015 were 917 and 5,937. This represents a 40% growth in people and 93% increase in food.
For 2016, our averages per month are 117 people and 1,043 pounds of food compared to 84 people and 540 pounds of food for 11 months in 2015.