It was a snow day Jan. 16 so we benefited by a full crew of help, including three teenagers to help prepare. We were well prepared for the harvest on Jan. 17.
Food available in pounds
For the first month of 2024, we had meat (chicken breasts) vegetables (carrots, rice, corn, cabbage,lettuce, soup) fruit (peaches), and Food Lion packages for distribution. 52% was grocery, 28% produce and 20% meat. A Year ago in Jan., 2023 76% was grocery and 24% meat, less variety then.
Despite the variety, supplies were tight. The buyers noted that stock was low at the Healthy Harvest Food Bank.
1,110 pounds were available for distribution in Jan, 2024. This was the lowest supply since June, 2023 which had 949 pounds. A year ago in Jan, 2023, 1,137 pounds were distributed, close to the current total.
Comparable numbers showed 1,081 pounds in Jan, 2022, 1147 in Jan, 2021 and only 1,020 for 2020. Clearly, the 2024 number was actually better than most years.
In the chart below, the red bars display foods available in the last 6 months of 2023 and 2024. Blue is a year earlier. Beginning in Oct, 2023, the number of pounds available per month slipped behind that of the month a year earlier.
Clients served by the Harvest.
Trends were more positive on the client side in January but have fluctuated over the last several years.
We served 91 in Jan. 2024, the lowest total since October with 99. A year ago in Jan, 2023 the number was only 60. This was an anomoly. In Jan 2022 there was almost double the clients at 115. Jan, 2021 was similar 116 but Jan, 2020 was only 81.
Monthly totals provide a recent trend in those fed by the harvest.
Looking at the last six months of clients fed at the harvest show an improving trend monthly in the current year compared to a year ago. Client totals were over 99 or better for the last 3 months of 2023 with an average of 107. A year earlier maximum was 90 for the last 3 months of 2022 with an average of 86.
Preparation
We have up to four teams that make the Harvest a reality though there is a blending between groups. One team goes to Montross to purchase food from the Healthy Harvest Food Bank. This happens on the Monday or Tuesday before Wed. distribution. We have a team that then unloads the food from the truck to our Parish House.
We have another team that will organize the items and fill the bags. The frozen items, such as chickens may get their own separate bags. A final team helps with the distribution on Wed.
Tues Jan 16 the day of preparation was a snow day and so we had the services of several teenagers to help:
Pounds Per Person
Pounds per person is the relationship between supply and those fed. The 6 months average in the current period is 12.3 pounds, less than the period a year ago at 15.6 pounds due to the trend with supply from Oct, 2023 onward.
Cost of providing the harvest
The cost is based on the bill submitted by the Healthy Harvest Food bank. For 2023, the average monthly cost was $180. The actual Jan, 2024 cost was less at $168.75 due to less supply. The 2022 average costs was $179.
Total costs were similar between 2023 and 2022 with 2023 at $2,160 and 2022 at $2,147. The cost in 2021 was significantly less at $1,944.
The costs amount to $2.03 per client in 2023, $2.04 in 2022 and $1.95 in 2021.
Preparation
We have up to four teams that make the Harvest a reality though there is a blending between groups. One team goes to Montross to purchase food from the Healthy Harvest Food Bank. This happens on the Monday or Tuesday before Wed. distribution. We have a team that then unloads the food from the truck to our Parish House.
We have another team that will organize the items and fill the bags. The frozen items, such as chickens may get their own separate bags. A final team helps with the distribution on Wed.
Unloading the food. Click the picture to enlarge.
Organizing the food. Click the picture to enlarge.
