Farm Bureau committees launch food drive, consumer education

The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee, in partnership with the Promotion & Engagement (P&E) Committee, is launching Ask a Farmer. Feed a Family, a new statewide initiative aimed at connecting consumers with Montana farmers and ranchers while stocking the shelves of local food pantries during the summer months, when demand is often highest.

From June through August, all 10 Montana Farm Bureau districts will host events at local grocery stores across the state. The campaign features a statewide raffle fundraiser benefiting the Montana Food Bank Network and collecting food for the local food bank.

Over the weekend of June 26-28, members of both committees held events at Town & Country Foods in Lewistown and Reynolds Market in Glendive, Baker and Glasgow.

Fergus County YF&R Committee member Bronya Wilmore said, “As far as raising money and items for the food bank, it was a great success! We sold all of our raffle tickets and have a full box of items to drop off at the Lewistown Community Cupboard. I felt like the community was receptive and appreciative of our being there to help this worthy cause.”

Tienna Canen and Britta Brenner collected food and sold tickets in Glendive, John Walker visited with folks about agriculture and sold raffle tickets in Glasgow, and Patty Mott and Fiona Hankins set up at the Reynold’s in Baker.

YF&R Committee members will sell raffle tickets for a chance to win a $500 Scheels gift card. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20 and may be purchased at Ask a Farmer. Feed a Family events or from any YF&R Committee member.

Keep an eye out for an Ask a Farmer. Feed a Family event in your area this summer on the MFBF and local county Farm Bureau social media.

For more information contact Jasmine Evans, jasmine@mfbf.org.

–Montana Farm Bureau Federation