Farm and ranch families from across the nation donated 31 million pounds of food and raised $425,879 to help fight hunger and assist in other community service outreach in 2023 through Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program. Combined, the monetary and food donations totaled the equivalent of 26 million meals.
Criteria for tracking Harvest for All donations included dollars and pounds of food donated by state and county Farm Bureaus, as well as volunteer hours, reported from the grassroots up as part of the annual campaign.
The spirit of farm communities has always been one of working together and giving back. Now in its 22nd year, Harvest for All is spearheaded by members of Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program, but members of all ages from across the nation contribute to the effort. Their participation helps ensure Americans who are facing food insecurity can enjoy the bounty of food farmers and ranchers produce.
In addition to raising food and funds, farmers and ranchers tallied 21,571 hours for local food insecurity efforts and other community service.
“People from all walks of life, including many rural Americans and residents of farming communities, remain concerned about addressing hunger,” said Kevin Lussier of Florida, chair of AFBF’s YF&R Committee. “Farm Bureau’s commitment to helping put food on the tables of those in need through Harvest for All remains strong.”
Florida Farm Bureau took top honors for donating the most food in 2023, 22 million pounds. This included conducting donation drives focused on peanut butter and canned food in addition to produce-gleaning projects, helping local farmers pick produce from fields after harvest for donation to local food pantries. Florida Farm Bureau also tallied the most volunteer hours through these activities, 15,000.
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