A new initiative called the Caring Sharing Agriculture program has been launched by the Hockhockson Farm Foundation in collaboration with Laurino Farms and the Red Bank-based nonprofit Lunch Break.
The Hockhockson Farm Foundation is an organization that operates a sanctuary for rescued farm animals. It was founded by Jon Stewart, former host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” and his wife, Tracey and is located on their 45 acres land in Colts Neck, New Jersey.
Laurino Farms is run by third-generation farmer Bobby Laurino, whose family has grown food in Monmouth County for 70 years. Laurino has been running a community-supported agriculture program at his Colts Neck stand – land leased from the Hockhockson Farm property – for the past three years. The program model allows consumers to pay local farmers seed money for their crops. In turn, they receive a share of that farmer’s harvest at discounted prices throughout the season.
The Stewarts loved the idea (and knew about it from the start since Laurino was leasing their land to make it happen) so, of course, they were early participants in Laurino’s program. Then, in 2017 the idea evolved into something more when the Stewarts began to work with Laurino to donate shares of freshly grown food to families in need. Their efforts were so well-received that they decided to make it an option for others to do the same.
That’s how the Caring Sharing Agriculture program came to be and how Lunch Break joined the team. Through the program, people can donate shares of fruits and vegetables grown at Laurino Farms to Lunch Break to provide fresh produce for families in need. The partnership between Hockhockson, Laurino Farms and Lunch Break was a “perfect marriage,” Tracey said.
Laurino said:
You’ve got Hockhockson, all the great things they do with animals and now with veggies, and of course with Lunch Break, helping all the people in need. It was three groups that really do a lot, so it was perfect.
Tracey Stewart, the president of the Hockhockson Farm Foundation, said:
We are really trying to get people to consider a whole-foods, plant-based diet. And so this program actually plays perfectly into that. Some people just don’t have access to those healthy choices in the first place. What we want to be able to do is build education around how to eat healthy and then how to enjoy those things.
There are similar programs like this happening but they distribute only greens like lettuce and kale, while the shares distributed from Laurino’s CSA include an array of fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes, peaches, squash, eggplant, string beans, and corn. The produce is sent to Lunch Break immediately after being harvested. There, they fill the shelves of the organization’s client-choice pantry. The nice thing about Lunch Break is that instead of a client receiving set shares per family, they have the opportunity to shop and choose what produce they like, a decision that executive director Gwendolyn Love said reflects Lunch Break’s mission.
Love said:
That’s a big deal, when people are able to come in and shop for themselves, instead of just saying, ‘Here’s your basket, here’s your share,’ you can go in and select. It provides the dignity and compassion and respect that we use as our standard here at Lunch Break.
Lunch Break’s pantry has been serving more than 10,000 people a year but most of the donated food is processed or boxed food. The organization accepts all donations and works with other groups and food banks to fill the pantry; however, filling the shelves with fresh produce is costly — more than $1,000 a week. That’s why this program is so lovely. It will offer opportunities to introduce people to healthier produce options and to educate on how they can be used, Lunch Break director of operations Armida Caldwell said.
And the good news doesn’t stop there! To further encourage people to use fresh fruits and vegetables in creative ways, the Hockhockson Farm Foundation plans to develop recipes in both English and Spanish, Stewart said. To provide the best possible results, Lunch Break has also been coordinating with a nutritionist at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank to help people track their health over time. The organization hopes to incorporate even more programs, like cooking classes to teach about the many uses of fresh produce.
Love said:
A lot of people, especially our clients, cannot afford the produce. It’s expensive. They’re already coming here for the basic necessities, not just food, but clothing and diapers and things like that. To be able to provide something to enhance their life, to enhance their health, is a really big deal.
If you’re interested in helping out, shares can be purchased and then donated as wholes for $499 or as portions that range from $50 to $249. Click here to donate.
