In the heart of Lubbock, Texas, behind the bustling South Plains Food Bank, lies a surprising oasis – a 15-acre orchard teeming with fruit trees. This orchard, a unique feature in the arid landscape, is more than just a picturesque scene; it’s a vital source of fresh produce for a community grappling with food insecurity. Located in East Lubbock, a recognized food desert, the orchard exemplifies the innovative spirit of the South Plains Food Bank in its mission to serve the approximately 264,000 residents of the city and the wider region. While volunteers and staff harvest fruit for distribution, the orchard also welcomes the public to partake in the bounty, embodying a community-focused approach to tackling hunger.
“It’s one of a kind,” William Russell, the orchard manager, proudly states. “We have people come get all the apples off the ground. It’s the only orchard (in Lubbock) open to the public like this.” This accessibility underscores the food bank’s commitment to not only providing food but also fostering community engagement and access to healthy options.
The fruit harvested from this orchard plays a crucial role in the South Plains Food Bank’s overarching mission: feeding those in need. The reality of food insecurity is stark; nearly 4 million Texans struggle with hunger. Feeding Texas, a statewide non-profit network of 20 food banks, highlights that around 20% of Texas children face food insecurity. This alarming statistic underscores the critical role food banks play in the state’s social safety net.
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The challenges are mounting. Inflation, stagnant wages, and recent policy decisions, such as the state’s rejection of $450 million in federal funding for a summer lunch program, exacerbate the problem. Food banks, long-standing pillars in the fight against hunger, are feeling the strain acutely. Dina Jeffries, CEO of the South Plains Food Bank, emphasizes the precariousness of food security for many. “People can become vulnerable in a heartbeat, whether it be from job loss, an unexpected bill, or an emergency,” she explains. The lingering economic repercussions of the pandemic and persistent inflation further intensify the struggle. Jeffries poignantly remarks, “If I’m going to the grocery store and saying ‘Ouch,’ I can’t imagine someone being food insecure.”
Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, confirms the growing demand, noting that more families are turning to food banks, especially during summer months. While collaborations with the Texas Department of Agriculture and existing summer meal programs are in place, the resources of food banks are being stretched thin. “We’re struggling to keep up,” Cole admits. “We’re feeling a lot of additional demand and turning over warehouses of food daily.”
Adding to the complexity is the delayed federal Farm Bill, a comprehensive legislative package that dictates food and agricultural policies. While the House introduced its version in May, progress has stalled. The 2018 Farm Bill extension is set to expire on September 30th, leaving a narrow window for Congress to negotiate and pass a bill estimated at a staggering $1.5 trillion.
This legislation is crucial for food banks as it funds vital programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Nutritional programs constitute a significant portion, approximately 80%, of the Farm Bill’s budget. Food banks are particularly reliant on TEFAP, through which the USDA procures nutritious food from American farmers for distribution via state agencies and local food banks like South Plains Food Bank. However, SNAP, a cornerstone of food assistance, is facing potential cuts, with proposed reductions of around $30 billion in some versions of the Farm Bill.
“We’re sort of on the defense when it comes to SNAP, to prevent cuts,” Cole explains, highlighting the advocacy efforts underway to protect these critical programs. “We’re also working closely with our state agency partners and the legislature to help them understand the importance of the summer meal program.”
In Lubbock, the South Plains Food Bank is proactively addressing the dual challenge of increased demand and donor fatigue, a common issue among non-profits as inflation impacts giving capacity. Chase Head, chief development officer for the food bank, acknowledges this trend: “Nonprofits are seeing a drop off in funding. Lubbock is very generous, especially the businesses, but people have to make tough decisions on where their funds are going.”
To counter this, the South Plains Food Bank is innovating in its fundraising strategies. Their 40th-anniversary event last year, featuring a Michelin-recognized chef, Klaus Georis, was a resounding success, selling out quickly and raising $200,000, translating to 600,000 meals for around 200,000 individuals. Remarkably, 65% of donors at the event were first-time contributors, expanding the food bank’s support base. Building on this success, they hosted another sold-out event this year, with a Farm and Orchard theme, incorporating apples from their orchard into the dessert. This event surpassed its goal, raising $250,000, equivalent to 750,000 meals.
Beyond fundraising, the South Plains Food Bank is also focused on sustainable solutions to food access. Their 5.5-acre farm, cultivating crops like watermelon, cucumbers, and tomatoes, along with pollinator gardens, is integral to their GRUB (Growing Recruits for Urban Business) program. This initiative, managed by Sandy Garcia, provides young adults with hands-on experience in farming and essential life skills. Garcia emphasizes the rewarding aspect of her work: “I really enjoy working in the summer when we have all the kids here. I like getting to know them, and I learn from them every day, too.” This summer, approximately 20 young individuals are participating in the GRUB program.
Back at the orchard, William Russell continues his work, filling buckets with jonagold apples. In a productive year, the orchard can yield between 80,000 and 150,000 pounds of apples for the food bank, all of which directly benefit those they serve. Russell highlights the orchard’s hidden gem status: “Most people don’t even know this is here in Lubbock. So when people do experience it, they’re pretty excited.” He reiterates the orchard’s public accessibility, inviting visitors to pick fruit or learn about local cultivation techniques in a challenging climate. The South Plains Food Bank, through its orchard, farm, and innovative programs, stands as a beacon of hope and resilience in Lubbock, tirelessly working to combat food insecurity and nourish its community.
