10/13/2026
For National Farmers Day, we want to tell you a bit about how local farmers help end hunger in southwest Missouri.
Farmers already work early mornings and long days to grow the food we eat every day, but they also have a heart for giving back. Ozarks Food Harvest partners with more than 50 local farms and gardens, like Family Through Faith, who donate fruits and vegetables for our neighbors facing hunger.
When these partner farms grow too much produce or don't have the hands to harvest all of their crops, that food doesn't go to waste. The farmers contact Ozarks Food Harvest, who sends volunteers to glean the produce and deliver it directly to our partner charities in southwest Missouri. Many farmers designate a row of crops specifically for Ozarks Food Harvest at the beginning of the season.
We also partner with the Greater Springfield Farmers Market to collect excess produce from vendors at the market.
Last fiscal year, all of our partner farms and farmers market vendors donated a total of 87,000 pounds of fresh produce to help end hunger in the Ozarks! That produce meant seniors had nutritious greens on their plates, kids could try new vegetables, and families had well-rounded meals during tough times.
A huge thank you to Family Through Faith, Fassnight Creek Farm, Temple Israel, Victory Garden, the Greater Springfield Farmers' Market, and so many more who help our neighbors facing hunger access fresh produce.
Thank a farmer today.
