Maryland’s Best and the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) have partnered with the Charles County Board of Commissioners and LifeStream Church of the Nazarene in Waldorf to distribute 100 free Thanksgiving food boxes filled with locally sourced, fresh food. The initiative aims to support local farmers and ensure families in need have access to nutritious meals during the holiday season.
“Everyone should have access to fresh, local, nutritious food—especially during the holidays,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “Simply put, our farmers’ mission is to provide for those in need.”
The boxes, available to regular clients of LifeStream’s food pantry on a first-come, first-served basis, feature farm-fresh produce, vegetables, locally raised turkeys, and sustainable proteins such as Chesapeake blue catfish. The inclusion of the wild-caught catfish helps manage the population of this invasive species while offering families a healthy protein option.
Supporting Local Farmers and Community Needs
The collaboration is backed by a grant from the Charles County Board of Commissioners, which compensates farmers and food producers in the region. This dual-purpose initiative addresses food insecurity while strengthening the local agricultural economy.
“We are proud to be working with farmers and food producers right here in Charles County to make a meaningful impact on local food security,” said SMADC Director Shelby Watson-Hampton. “This project is a testament to the power of collaboration between local agriculture and community support systems.”
The food boxes are a tangible example of how public support and local partnerships can benefit the broader community. By working together, Maryland’s Best, SMADC, and Charles County farmers demonstrate how sustainable practices can create lasting solutions to issues such as food access.
Building Resilient Food Systems
The initiative also aligns with SMADC’s broader mission of fostering resilient and sustainable food systems. According to Heather Hulsey, Maryland Market Money & Food Access Programs Manager at SMADC, projects like this showcase the impact of combining community support with public resources.
“Through initiatives like this, we aim to address the pressing issue of food access while also strengthening the local food economy,” said Hulsey. “Our mission at SMADC is to build resilient, sustainable food systems, and this partnership exemplifies how we can all work together to ensure everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to nutritious, locally sourced food.”
This effort underscores the importance of collaboration among government, local farmers, and community organizations in addressing food security challenges, particularly during the holiday season.
