TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — In the Big Bend area, food insecurity continues to be a major problem that has only increased with the pandemic.
There has been a jump of more than 50,000 in the number of people living with food insecurity right now in our community.
This is why the Second Harvest of the Big Bend has created the new drive through food distribution lines with food coming from the Lotts Community Garden.
Created eight years ago, the garden has provided more than 90,000 pounds of fresh produce.
They have hundreds of volunteers from the community and different schools so they're able to have a fall and spring harvest.
Within 48 hours after being picked, the food is given out to someone in need.
Volunteer Kristine Lamont says being able to provide fresh, healthy produce goes a long way.
"They are getting food at it's a most elemental state," said Lamont. "They can cook it. They can control it. It doesn't have preservatives. They're getting the food straight from the ground."
Because of COVID-19, volunteers says they didn't plant a fall crop but they're hoping to be able to come back in the spring.
They're also partnered with many other organizations in the community, like local farmers. Those partnerships have provided more than 300,000 pounds of fresh produce.
