The Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County and the Southwest Washington Food Hub have partnered to bring fresh, locally grown produce to families in Centralia and Chehalis.
Thanks to funding from the Washington state Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Food Assistance Resiliency Grant, the organizations will kick off the 15-week “Harvest Partnership” initiative, distributing weekly produce boxes at no cost to as many as 130 area families.
Through this program, families whose children attend the Boys & Girls Club will receive a box of high-quality fruits and vegetables straight from local farms, according to a release from the organization.
Each box will also include bilingual nutrition materials, simple recipes and tips for healthy eating to support lasting wellness.
In addition, Northwest Pediatrics dietitians are partnering to deliver hands-on nutrition classes for families.
“This partnership is about more than food — it’s about connecting farm, family and community,” Sarah Althauser, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County, said in a news release. “One of our core pillars is healthy lifestyles, and this program is a beautiful way to cultivate that in our club kids. They won’t just receive fresh produce — they’ll learn where their food comes from, how to prepare it and why it matters. Supporting our local growers while nourishing and educating our youth means everyone benefits.”
The Southwest Washington Food Hub, located in Chehalis, is operated by the Southwest Washington Growers Cooperative, a farmer-owned and operated cooperative that aggregates and distributes food from nearly 50 local farms throughout southwest Washington.
“We are excited to partner with the Boys & Girls Club and provide nutritious products grown in our community,” Jake Fay, general manager of Southwest Washington Growers Cooperative, said in a news release.
The WSDA Food Assistance Resiliency Grants are designed to address food insecurity and build more robust, local food systems during times of need. The “Harvest Partnership” pilot represents a coordinated, community-based approach to increase food access, support healthy habits, and strengthen connections between families and farms in Lewis County.
To learn more about these organizations, visit www.bgclewiscounty.org or https://swwafoodhub.com/.
