FARMshare is an effort to make a difference during this challenging time.
REQUIREMENTS AND OFFERING HAND SANITIZERS THROUGHOUT THE STORE. CURBSIDE PICKUP IS AN OPTION MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. >>> SMALL FARMERS TO SELL THEIR CROPS TO RESTAURANTS AND TAKEN A BIG HIT DURING THIS PANDEMIC BUT A LOCAL NONPROFIT IS STEPPING IN TO HELP THEM, THE CAROLINA FARMS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM IS GOING TO HELP FARMERS WHILE FEEDING UNEMPLOYED RESTAURANT WORKERS. MANDY MITCHELL HAS A STORY.>>REPORTER: WHEN WE SEE EMPTY TABLES AT A RESTAURANT DURING THIS PANDEMIC WE OFTEN THINK OF THE REVENUE LOSS. BUT THERE ARE MORE LAYERS >> A LOT OF SMALL FARMS THROUGHOUT SOUTH CAROLINA RELY ON RESTAURANTS IS AN IMPORTANT MARKET. >> NOW THESE SMALL FARMS HAVE NOWHERE TO SELL THE CROPS. SO THE IDEA CAME FROM THE CAROLINA FARMS STEWARDSHIP ASSOCIATION WHICH IS A NONPROFIT THAT NORMALLY HELPS FARMERS GROW AND SELL ORGANIC FOODS AND THEY ARE STARTING A PROGRAM CALLED FORM SHECHEM THEY WILL BUY CROPS FROM FARMERS HEALTHY RESTAURANT WORKERS HAVE BEEN LAID OFF. >> WE ARE WORKING WITH GROUPS OF LOCAL DISTRIBUTORS TO ASSEMBLE FOOD BROUGHT FROM SMALL-SCALE LOCAL FAMILY FARMS WHICH HAVE BEEN REPACKAGED AND DISTRIBUTED TO RESTAURANTS WHERE THE EMPLOYEES CAN COME AND PICK IT UP. >> FARM SHARE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY A DONATION FROM BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD NORTH CAROLINA AND IT WILL HELP FEED 500 FAMILIES OVER THE NEXT EIGHT WEEKS. IT WILL ALSO HELP FAMILIES AND FARMERS IN NEED. >> SMALL FARMS HAVE HAD VERY DIFFICULT TIMES SO FAR GETTING INTO ANY OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS LIKE THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROVIDING RELIEF TO SMALL BUSINESSES. >> CONNECTING TWO PARTS OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE DURING A CHALLENGING TIME.>> THE PROGRAM
