LEONARDTOWN — St. Mary’s County is once again bridging the gap between local farms and families in need through the annual Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s program, which provides free fresh produce directly from area growers.
The initiative, a collaborative effort between county government agencies, community partners and agricultural experts, aims to improve access to nutritious, locally grown food while supporting the region’s farming community. This year’s events will take place at two convenient Lexington Park locations.
The first distribution is set for Thursday, August 13, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, 46900 S. Shangri-La Drive. The second event follows on Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the U-Haul parking lot at 46041 Signature Lane.
Attendees can expect a variety of seasonal items such as corn, tomatoes, squash and other fresh produce. The September event will additionally offer frozen meat. Family units are limited to one bag (or box) of produce per distribution, with supplies available on a first-come, first-served basis until the events conclude or stocks are depleted.
The program is spearheaded by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County in partnership with the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services, the Department of Economic Development, Feed St. Mary’s, and the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. These organizations have worked together for several years to address food insecurity while highlighting the county’s strong agricultural heritage.
Feed St. Mary’s, the county’s dedicated food bank established in 2019, plays a key role in broader hunger relief efforts, supporting local pantries and soup kitchens that serve residents facing economic challenges. The collaboration with University of Maryland Extension brings agricultural expertise to ensure high-quality, fresh offerings reach the community.
Southern Maryland’s farming sector remains vital to the local economy and food system. Events like Farmers Feeding St. Mary’s not only provide immediate assistance but also foster connections between producers and consumers, promoting awareness of where food comes from and the importance of sustaining local agriculture. Similar past distributions have drawn hundreds of families and distributed tens of thousands of pounds of produce.
Residents are encouraged to arrive early, as supplies are limited and distributed until gone. No registration or proof of need is required, making the events accessible to all community members.
For additional details, contact the Department of Aging & Human Services at (301) 475-4200, ext. 1074 (or ext. 1050 per county site), or visit the official program page at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/FFSM.
As grocery costs continue to fluctuate, programs that bring farm-fresh food directly to tables play an increasingly important role in supporting family nutrition and local farmers alike. St. Mary’s County officials and partners hope these distributions will help ease some of that burden while celebrating the bounty of the region’s fields.
