Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s To Offer Free Local Produce At Lexington Park Distributions

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — St. Mary’s County residents can receive free, farm-fresh produce Thursday as the annual Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s program returns for the fifth year with the first of two community food distributions planned for this summer.

The first distribution will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, 46900 S. Shangri-La Drive in Lexington Park. A second distribution is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the U-Haul parking lot, 46041 Signature Lane in Lexington Park.

The program provides fresh agricultural products to community members at no cost, connecting locally produced food with families throughout St. Mary’s County. No proof of need is required to participate.

Corn, tomatoes, squash and other fresh produce will be available at both distributions. Frozen meat will also be available during the Sept. 12 event, according to a St. Mary’s County Government news release.

Distribution will continue until the scheduled end of each event or until supplies run out. Families will be limited to one allotment of produce per event.

Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s is organized through a collaboration involving the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services, the St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development, Feed St. Mary’s and the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The annual program brings farm-fresh food into the community through free seasonal distributions in St. Mary’s County.

Fresh Produce Available For All St. Mary’s County Families

Nicoletta Pollice, community program and outreach manager for the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services, said Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s plans to serve at least 1,000 families. She said the program serves families rather than individuals and that the amount of produce provided can be adjusted based on household size.

“We always try to buy for more than 1,000 families,” Pollice said. “That’s our goal, and every year we do.”

Pollice said Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s is open to everyone, with no income restrictions or proof of need required. She described the distribution as a community event intended not only to provide fresh food but also to promote healthy eating. The University of Maryland contributes recipes, including instructions for preparing less-familiar produce that residents may not regularly use.

“It’s not just about need; it’s about promoting a healthy St. Mary’s County,” Pollice said. “Everybody can come and they will get a bag of food. No income restrictions, no questions asked.”

Pollice said demand has remained strong each year, and the program always distributes all its produce. She said Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s was a collaboration in which participating organizations contribute different areas of expertise. The Department of Aging & Human Services focuses on community outreach, while the University of Maryland, the county Department of Economic Development and Feed St. Mary’s handle other aspects of the program, including work associated with obtaining produce.

For residents who have never attended, Pollice said everyone is welcome to attend and they may bring their own bags, although bags are provided.

Thursday Distribution

The Aug. 13 distribution will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, 46900 S. Shangri-La Drive in Lexington Park. Produce will be available while supplies last.

September Distribution

The second Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s distribution will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 12 at the U-Haul parking lot, 46041 Signature Lane in Lexington Park. In addition to fresh produce, frozen meat is expected to be available at the September event.

For more information about Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s, residents can contact the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services.

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