Farmers' markets work to collect local food for needy families

If you happen to be at one of 11 local farmers' market next week, there will be some easy ways to help hungry kids in the community.

Next week, Farmer Foodshare volunteers will be at markets across the Triangle to shed light on child hunger in North Carolina and how local farms and shoppers can help feed needy kids and families. Market shoppers will be asked to donate food or cash toward the program. Farmer Foodshare will make sure the donations get to community agencies who serve fresh food to local families and children.

Some of the markets will have special children's art activities, music and other fun.

“Child hunger is hidden in plain view,” said Jonathan Bloom, Farmer Foodshare donation station program manager., in a press release. “In North Carolina, 1 of 4 children doesn’t get enough to eat. Just in our region of the state, 180,000 kids don’t have enough food. Even sadder, North Carolina’s hunger rate for children under 5 is the worst in the nation. And an even larger number of young people don’t get enough nutritious, fresh food. The Farmer Foodshare Challenge aims to change that.”

Shoppers also will be able to help launch a new Farm to Family CSA program by donating money to sponsor all or part of a weekly box of fresh food from a farm to a needy family. CSA's range in price from $300 to $500 for several months of fresh food from a local farmer.

Here's a list of participating markets for next week's challenge:

Western Wake Farmers’ Market (www.westernwakefarmersmarket.com)