The holiday season is a time to celebrate abundance, but it’s also an opportunity to address the stark reality of food insecurity in our community. Recently, Project Green Fork (PGF) joined forces with the Church of the Holy Communion’s Recover Food Feed Hope Ministry and the Society of Saint Andrew for a food rescue effort.
On Saturday, November 23, a semi-truck delivered 40,000 pounds of sweet potatoes from Tennessee farms to the Church of the Holy Communion. 242 volunteers came together to unload, bag, and distribute these sweet potatoes, contributing over 450 service hours, to 43 local agencies serving individuals and families facing food insecurity across the Mid-South. In just one day, this collaborative effort diverted 39,765 pounds of food from waste and into the hands of those who need it most. Moreover, 710 pounds of cardboard were recycled by Get Green Recycleworks, further keeping waste out of landfills.
Each sweet potato represented a step toward a more efficient and equitable food system – one that values both people and resources.
Food insecurity affects many families in Shelby County. Organizations like those who participated in the 2024 Crop Drop rely on donations and volunteers to meet the increasing demand for nutritious food. Without this effort, the sweet potatoes may have been left in the fields, wasting the resources used to grow them. Instead, Tennessee farmers donated the potatoes, ensuring they were harvested and distributed to those in need, maximizing both their nutritional and economic value.
The 43 local agencies that received sweet potatoes will use them to provide meals to community members, adding to their holiday offerings and beyond. Initiatives like this are a testament to what can happen when organizations, volunteers, and local farmers come together. By rescuing surplus food, we can address food insecurity and create a more sustainable food system that values efficiency and minimizes waste.
PGF is grateful for the volunteers who gave their time, energy, and care to make this event a success. From unloading truckloads to bagging potatoes and loading them into vehicles, each action contributed to a greater mission of feeding our neighbors and supporting our community.
As we celebrate the impact of this event, we are reminded of what’s possible when we work together for a common purpose. Addressing food insecurity is a year-round effort. If you’re inspired to get involved, contact Project Green Fork to learn more about our food rescue initiatives and how you can contribute to building a greener, more equitable Memphis.
