Society of St. Andrew Georgia delivered approximately 38,400 pounds of Georgia-grown potatoes and cabbage across Macon-Bibb County this week, helping provide fresh, healthy food to families facing food insecurity.
Cabbage and potatoes, currently in season for Georgia farmers, are durable, storage-friendly staples that can be easily incorporated into many familiar meals.
The nonprofit recently received some funding from the $150,000 appropriated by Macon-Bibb County to address food insecurity amid uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits and the recent federal government shutdown. A key use of the funds supported food delivery, allowing organizations without large vehicles or transportation resources to participate in distribution.
“This is exactly what these funds were meant to do — get healthy food straight into the hands of people who need it most,” Mayor Lester Miller said. “We’re grateful for partners like Society of St. Andrew and the many organizations who are out in our neighborhoods every day, doing the hard work and making a real difference for families across our community.”
To reach families countywide, Society of St. Andrew delivered produce to nine organizations at 11 locations on Monday and Tuesday, allowing for strategic coverage across most areas of the county.
“This effort successfully showed how to increase the quality of food donations using local sources, establishing a blueprint for other communities,” said Angela Partain, Georgia regional director for Society of St. Andrew. “Above all, it was a profound honor to partner with the county to put nourishing, fresh food directly into the hands of our neighbors who need it most.”
Partner organizations receiving produce included Mother’s Nest, C-QUL, U Create Macon, Loaves & Fishes Ministry of Macon, Food Is Medicine Market, CCH, Boys & Girls Club, Community Church of God, and the Brookdale Resource Center.
“We are so grateful for this delivery,” said Andrea Cooke of C-QUL. “We were able to donate and feed hundreds of families at two different locations on Monday and Tuesday. It truly takes a team, and we are grateful to be part of it.”
In addition to distribution support from Macon-Bibb County, Society of St. Andrew contributed more than 41,000 additional pounds of cabbage to the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank.
“This resulted in nearly 80,000 pounds of fresh food delivered to support local families facing challenges caused by SNAP disruptions as the holiday season begins,” Partain said. “We are committed to building on this foundation and expanding our network until every resident has access to healthy food.”
For more information about Society of St. Andrew and how to get involved, visit its website.