liz loving life.
Email me at lizatfolly at gmail dot com
Recently, I have become involved with a local non-profit here in Charleston called Fields to Families. According to their website, “Fields to Families serves as a link between local farms and community organizations who help feed the hungry.” Basically, when local farmers have produce that they can spare, they contact Fields to Families. The organization will pick leftover produce or collect it from the stands at the local farmers’ markets, and then it is distributed to organizations here in the Lowcountry that help to feed the hungry, like soup kitchens, churches, Meals on Wheels and the like. It’s really cool, because it allows those who rely these organizations to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, which food banks rarely can provide.
This past Tuesday, I had the opportunity to spread the word about Fields to Families at Whole Foods in Mt. Pleasant. We had a table set up in the store to provide more information to the Whole Foods shoppers about the organization. And, the best part was that Whole Foods had 5% Day for Fields to Families, where 5% of Tuesday’s sales were donated to the organization. So after my volunteer shift was over, I also did some grocery shopping so that my money could support the cause while I got some delicious Whole Foods food!
On Thursday evening, my friend Collins and I volunteers at the Daniel Island Farmers’ Market to work with the local farmers to collect any leftovers that they would not be able to use. We were able to get boxes of tomatoes, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, corn, and several watermelons and cantaloupes. It was definitely a success, and it was really great to meet and start building some relationships with the farmers at the market.
The other benefit of volunteering at the DI Farmers’ Market is getting to support some of our local farmers and other vendors. I bought a loaf of whole-wheat bread from the Rococo Bakery booth, several ears of the “sweetest corn on Earth” according to the farmer (he made us bite into the raw ear of corn to prove it!), some local raw wildflower honey, and some red potatoes. And I picked out several things that I want to try next week. I am going to have to start budgeting for the farmers’ market in my grocery budget. It was a great experience, and I can’t wait to go back!
