Planting Seeds for a Better Future

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK works tirelessly to ensure that fresh and nutritious food is accessible to children, seniors, and families in the community. Operating several impactful initiatives, The Seed Farm is one program through Second Harvest that is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of farmers.

Situated on 42 acres of preserved farmland, The Seed Farm’s agricultural business incubator provides beginning farmers with affordable access to land, infrastructure, equipment, and technical assistance so participants can start their farm business. This helps meet the needs of new farmers who may lack the land and funds to own a farm.

The farm not only works to support food production, but also ensures that strong, local food systems are available to those in need. The Seed Farm’s Growing Partners raised bed program aims to increase access to nutritious, fresh food for low-income urban residents. This program also provides opportunities for residents to grow food and gain gardening confidence, breaking barriers to food equity in the Lehigh Valley.

Through their Farm to Pantry program, The Seed Farm grows and harvests high-demand produce for the food bank, furthering its impact and reach to those in need. Last year, Second Harvest Food Bank provided 6.7 million pounds of fresh produce, perishable protein, and fresh dairy products thanks to their program participants.

Greenhouse Manager Hannah White, Program Manager Katy Hunter, and Farm Manager David Sell are the proud employees of The Seed Farm, contributing to a more sustainable and stable future. Through programs like The Seed Farm, Second Harvest Food Bank is able to keep residents of Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities healthy, educated, and full of high-quality produce.

For more information on all the programs offered through Second Harvest Food Bank, visit their website at http://SHFBLV.org.