By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Bowie County Farm Bureau recently donated 746 pounds of beef and 305 pounds of pork to local organizations as part of the statewide Farmers Feeding Families program.

The donation included one cow and one pig, both provided by a local producer.

The protein was distributed to Maranatha Christian Center, Faith Baptist Church, Community Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Rock Solid Resource Center and The Hub 212 Community Kitchen.

The effort builds on Ranchers Table, a program created by Bowie County Farm Bureau to provide donated meat to organizations serving families in need.

“We saw the opportunity to partner with Texas Farm Bureau through the Farmers Feeding Families program to help offset processing costs and expand what we’re able to do for our community,” said Jimmy Anderson, Bowie County Farm Bureau vice president.

In addition to helping feed local families, the donation provided educational opportunities for local youth.

Students in the Hooks High School FFA Meat Lab processed the livestock and gained hands-on experience while also helping families in their community.

“We’re getting the local school involved, and it gives them a chance to see the impact farmers and ranchers can have on helping others,” Anderson said.

As food prices continue to rise, Anderson noted donations like these help community organizations meet an increasing demand for assistance.

“Programs like Farmers Feeding Families are important because the price of beef and pork continue to increase, and more people are turning to community kitchens and food banks for help,” Anderson said. “Our donation helps those organizations feed families who may be struggling to put food on the table.”

As of early November, more than 17,770 pounds of protein, over 329,000 pounds of other food items with a value of more than $54,190, and $12,845 have been donated by 48 county Farm Bureaus to 71 local organizations.

The Farmers Feeding Families program, coordinated by Texas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee, encourages county Farm Bureaus to donate livestock, volunteer time, make monetary contributions and provide food items to local organizations.

For more information about the Farmers Feeding Families program, contact your county Farm Bureau or visit texasfarmbureau.org/fff.