From The Farm To The City: A Thanksgiving Bounty For The Needy (With Gallery)

November 21, 2017

Students from schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties worked in fields near Jay Monday to harvest vegetables that will feed hundreds of needy families later this week for Thanksgiving.

The event at the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center was part of Farm-City Week, bringing the bounty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences farm to the needy of the city.

The agriculture students from Tate High School, Northview High School, Central High School, Jay High School, Milton High School, LEAD Academy, Earnest Ward Middle School and Beulah Science Academy harvested produce including greens, sorted sweet potatoes and bagged freshly ground corn meal and grits.

The produce will be delivered at the Waterfront Rescue Mission Tuesday to 800 pre-qualified families in need Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

The event provided an educational opportunity for students to learn more about the crops grown in our county and to learn proper harvesting techniques to prepare the crops for distribution, according to organizers.

For more photos, click here.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

8 Responses to “From The Farm To The City: A Thanksgiving Bounty For The Needy (With Gallery)”

  1. Gman on November 22nd, 2017 5:46 am

    Good job young people, be PROUD.

  2. West Florida Research and Education Center on November 21st, 2017 6:13 pm

    Great Photos!!
    The kids we had this year did an incredible job. They finished faster than any group that we’ve ever had before AND exceeded the amount of work we needed done, which allowed us to help even more people than planned.
    We are lucky to have these young volunteers and their teachers, parents, and chaperones involved when we give back to the community. Without them, we could not do it.
    On behalf of The University of Florida, The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the West Florida Research and Education Center: THANK YOU!!!

  3. Chelly on November 21st, 2017 10:57 am

    This is wonderful. I believe in Paying It Forward and just all around Kindness. These young people have done a wonderful thing to help those in need. It does your heart good to help other people, that’s what this world needs now more than ever. Happy Thanksgiving to everybody out there, may your heart and tables be filled with love and comfort this season.

  4. Deborah York on November 21st, 2017 10:24 am

    What a wonderful event, and thank you kids for participating. The number of lives and positive impact this event will have on those receiving the food, and on you for participating in this event, is immeasurable. God Bless you each and all!

  5. Louise on November 21st, 2017 10:00 am

    This is such a refreshing story. With all the negative going on in this world, to hear something like this is so heartwarming. Good job kids, and wishes for a blessed and safe Thanksgiving to everyone.

  6. anne 1of2 on November 21st, 2017 9:39 am

    These are some wonderful kids and photos! Look at all of those vegetables that won’t go to waste. This is definitely what Thanksgiving is all about.

  7. Grand Locust on November 21st, 2017 9:14 am

    A big thumbs up to these ag students and their classmates. Since 1970 the American farmer who increasingly is highly trained in knowledgeable in the science of agriculture has double American crop production. These kids are the future of this huge American success, and to all those who worked on this project a big thank you. Keep up the good work and use your training to feed the world. Free markets and American ingenuity is hard to beat.

  8. My2Cents on November 21st, 2017 8:28 am

    This is really great! Keep up the good work!