COMING SOON!!

N.C. Cooperative Extension, Surry County Center is launching a Donation Station program at a local farmer's market as a way for the community to engage in supporting local food and food security efforts. According to the USDA, in 2023, North Carolina's food insecurity rate was 10.9%, slightly lower than the national average of 13.5%. For Surry, the rate is 17.5%, meaning that 12,510 people in Surry County do not have consistent, dependable access to enough food for active, healthy living. The Donation Station program seeks to improve access to fresh, locally grown food while supporting the farmers who grow it.

The Donation Station will begin at the Elkin Farmer’s Market on Saturday, June 7, and it will run each week until the end of October. Farmers’ market shoppers will be able to purchase fresh produce from farmers and vendors and then donate it at the NC State Master Gardener℠ volunteer-run Donation Station table. Monetary donations will not be accepted. At the end of each market, the donated produce will be given to The ARK to serve their clients.

“We have wanted to offer something like this for some time now,” said Surry County Cooperative Extension Director and Horticulture Agent Joanna Radford. "By partnering with the farmers' markets and our community, we will be able to offer high-quality fruits and vegetables to our neighbors who might not otherwise have access to this type of nutritious food. It also allows farmers to receive the asking price for their products, which helps to support our local food economy."

Stop by the Donation Station table or call N.C. Cooperative Extension, Surry Center at 336.401.8025 to learn more.