2023impact report
25 YEARS OF BLESSING THE HUNGRY
Dear Friends,
Another year and another abundance of miracles experienced as we worked together with our partners, benefactors, and volunteers to serve Him and those in need. My family would have never imagined twenty-five years ago First Fruits Farm would be what it is today, but with God, all things are possible! We are grateful that the growth of this ministry is blessing so many hungry souls in mind, body, and spirit. Far too many of our neighbors are experiencing food insecurity, not knowing day-to-day how they will feed their families or themselves, which is reflected in the increased demand for food assistance. Thankfully, God has positioned the Farm to work with an ever-growing network of distribution partners who ensure communities—urban, rural, and suburban—have access to healthy food options.
With three years of the Farm’s strategic plan completed, we have found there is even more for us to do. The Farm’s renewed focus on production, the Distribution Center, and the additional acreage acquired in 2023 have proven to be even more impactful than we had hoped for, and we will build upon those pillars in the 2024 season. Our expanded facility has created enormous new capacity for the Farm, enabling us to serve as a hub for food donations from other farms and businesses. Utilizing our distribution network, the Farm now offers food resources year-round with incredible opportunities for future partnerships and preventing good quality food from going to waste.
The Farm’s role is continuously evolving, and we have set bold goals for 2024, following His guidance to advance our ministry. Rest assured, our team is hard at work, focused on our mission every step of the way while staying true to our Christian faith and values. Our commitment to bring the love and light of Christ is at the center of all we do...to God be the Glory! Thank you for your gracious support—we hope to see you this season!
Blessings,
Richard M. Bernstein Executive Director
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”
- Matthew 25:35
100% of everything the Farm grows is donated.
It was an amazing year of blessings! With His guidance, the Farm gave 1.9 million pounds of healthy food to serve hungry people across the region, despite the early drought conditions.
The purchase of a 78-acre neighboring farm and completion of the Farm’s new Distribution Center in 2023 were transformational for our operations, providing new opportunities to help more of our neighbors in need. In fact, the Farm also received over 500,000 pounds of food donations from local farms and businesses to share with our partners.
The Farm's distribution network grows significantly each year, more proof of the overwhelming need in our region.
With over 200 partners relying on the Farm for healthy food, we are serving six times the number of partners as we did in 2020, vastly broadening the scale and scope of our mission.
We look forward to a bountiful 2024!
1.9 MILLION POUNDS of healthy food grown & distributed to more than 200 regional partners.
17,300 VOLUNTEERS
from hundreds of churches, schools, businesses, and other organizations, along with families and individuals served at the Farm.
3,100 STUDENTS in grades Pre-K - 12 participated in hands-on, educational programming. Field trips and volunteer service also provided farm experiences for even more students during the year.
6,700 DOZENEGGS weredonatedthrough
28,000 PUMPKINS were shared with over 120 schools, churches, and nonprofits for children who cannot typically access this festive fall staple through the Farm's PROJECT PUMPKIN.
220,000 POUNDS OF FOOD were given to over 70 organizations as part of the Farm's OPERATION HOLIDAY BLESSINGS feeding and brightening the holidays for thousands.
sustainable farming
To be responsible stewards of our land, we continued to build upon our sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices throughout 2023. Here are a few examples:
• Rolled and crimped our rye cover crop to plant no-till pumpkins, sweet corn, and zucchini.
• Spread 120 tons of donated poultry manure in the fields to enrich our soil.
• Grazed our cattle on harvested corn and cover crop fields to reduce feed costs and create fertilizer for next year’s crops.
our 25th year...
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volunteer se r vice e
ini tiative 1N POTATOES 906,000 lbs 2N GREEN BEANS 259,000 lbs 3N SWEET CORN 240,000 lbs 4N CABBAGE 155,000 lbs. 5N TOMATOES 105,000 lbs the top
crops... Additionally, we grew thousands of pounds of pumpkins, peppers, cucumbers, collards, broccoli, onions, zucchini, and watermelon.
d production
ducation
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That’s ~8 MILLION servingsofhealthyfood!
distribution center This expanded facility has transformed our operations to meet the ever-growing demand from our partners across the region. commu n ity engagement
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Joinusthisseason! Learn more at firstfruitsfarm.org GROW MORE - GIVE MORE - SERVE MORE!
funding the farm to feed the hungry...
As a nonprofit Christian ministry, the Farm relies on financial support from a variety of sources to maintain our operations 365 days a year. The tremendous growth experienced in the last few years makes contributions to the Farm’s Annual Giving Fund even more critical to our mission, enabling the Farm to produce and distribute healthy food to our neighbors in need. Cornerstone Community Partners provide a foundation of support for the Farm’s hunger-relief efforts. Together, we are strengthening the community and serving hungry families, seniors, and others struggling with food insecurity. THANK YOU to our CORNERSTONE LEGACY PARTNERS for their commitment to our mission! Bunting Family Foundation Catholic Charities of Baltimore United Way of Central Maryland Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston (WV) Archdiocese of Baltimore COMMUNITY PARTNERS PROGRAM 20431 Middletown Road | Freeland, MD 21053 | (410) 343-2507 | firstfruitsfarm.org Thank You to all who contribute to our mission in some way. The collective impact of your generosity is profound and exemplified through our faithful efforts each year to GROW MORE - GIVE MORE - SERVE MORE! 84% Programs 14% Management & General 2% Fundraising 47% Major Gifts 27% Foundations & Grants 18% Annual Gifts 8% Other Farm Expenses 54% Individuals 30% Foundations & Grants 8% Food Bank Partners 4% Businesses & Others 4% Churches Charitable Sources Annual Giving Fund $1.71 MILLION $1.59 MILLION