"It's surprising how many children go to bed hungry at night. There's no reason for so many people to be affected by hunger," said Tracy Duffield, daughter-in-law of the owners.
Since 1999 the farm in Sewell has donated crops, mainly corn, squash and green beans, to New Jersey Farmers Against Hunger.
Run by the New Jersey Agricultural Society, a nonprofit agency, the program collects surplus crops and delivers them to a distribution center, often a church, where the food is divided among various hunger-fighting agencies at no cost. Since the program began in 1996 it has collected more than 12 million pounds of produce.
The arrangement between the Duffield farm and the program seems a perfect fit. The busy summer season makes it difficult for farm workers to distribute excess crops themselves, so the program picks up and delivers the produce.
"Without them we wouldn't be able to get all the food out, and it would be wasted," Duffield said.
Program coordinator Judy Grignon credits farms like the Duffields' for doing their part to reduce the burden of needy families.
"If it wasn't for our generous New Jersey farmers we wouldn't have these programs," Grignon said. "Farming is not a get-rich business, but farmers are still donating to us. I can't thank them enough."
The Duffields' produce goes mainly to distribution centers in Camden and Browns Mills, but the program also delivers to Mount Holly and Trenton weekly. With the rising costs of food and housing, the program faces a greater demand than ever.
"Often people have to decide if they want heat or food. We see that all the time," Grignon said.
Soup kitchens and food pantries may have large supplies of canned and non-perishable goods, which can contain high amounts of sugar and sodium. Many lack the fresh fruits and vegetables that farms like the Duffields' offer.
