In an exciting new partnership, GoochlandCares and Silo Hill Farms are joining forces to bring an abundance of fresh, locally grown produce to the GoochlandCares Food Pantry. Beyond ensuring our neighbors have enough to eat, GoochlandCares strives to include healthier options and ample choice for the 325 families they serve each week. This collaboration is set to do just that.

Silo Hill Farms, located in Goochland County, has generously dedicated farmland and labor exclusively to growing a range of fresh organic produce for the Food Pantry. Between April and October, Silo Hill Farms expects to deliver over 30,000 pounds of fresh produce to the pantry. The commitment means that produce harvested in the morning can be on the Food Pantry’s shelves by the afternoon.

“We are thrilled with this partnership,” said Brian Sallerson, Food Pantry Manager at GoochlandCares. “It allows us to ensure our neighbors have access to fresh, nutritious food.”

Doug Chiles, former GoochlandCares Food Pantry staff and current volunteer, has seen the growth of the Food Pantry with his own eyes. When Chiles started working at GoochlandCares two years ago, the facility was serving 200 families a week. Now, the Food Pantry provides groceries for over 325 families each week.

“I’m proud that we were able to keep up with the growth and continue to source even better and healthier foods,” said Chiles.

To accommodate the influx of fresh produce, the GoochlandCares team is installing a state-of-the-art “CoolBot” – an 8-by-12-foot walk-in cooler. This new cooler will be located just outside the Food Pantry and will join the existing refrigerators and freezers, ensuring all food remains fresh. This expansion effort was supported by Goochland Rotary and Feed More, both local community partners of GoochlandCares.

The addition of the CoolBot and the partnership with Silo Hill Farms mark significant advancements for the Food Pantry in serving Goochland neighbors in need. These efforts underscore GoochlandCares’ commitment to enhancing food assistance and promoting healthier eating habits within the community. GoochlandCares would like to extend “a heartfelt thank you” to Silo Hill Farms for their generosity and support in making this initiative possible.

Article source: Farm to food pantry: Partnership will bring fresh produce to more families (richmond.com)