2022 Year in Review
We’re reflecting on Bread Riot’s mission and the programs that help us link farms to tables and provide access to locally produced foods.
As we wrap up this year and look forward to the next, it’s a good time to reflect on The Bread Riot’s mission, which is to link farms to tables by supporting our small farmers and providing access to locally produced foods throughout the community.
In 2022, a variety of new and continuing projects fulfilled this mission.
Summer Feed
Twenty-eight volunteers picked up and distributed 4,200 pounds of fresh produce at 10 sites in 8 weeks. Distribution sites included 7 sites selected by the Rowan-Salisbury Schools nutritionist and 3 senior sites.
Faith Harvest
Ten churches were given the opportunity to pick up $125 worth of produce at the Salisbury Farmer’s Market two times during the summer. They shared these fruits and vegetables with the people in their congregation and neighborhood.
Mobile Vegetable Market
This was a new program for us this year. On alternate Saturdays during the summer, volunteers picked up boxes of produce at the Salisbury Farmer’s Market as prearranged with several farmers. The produce was transported in an air-conditioned trailer to a shaded area of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore parking lot on South Main Street in Salisbury. The produce was offered to the public in a donation-based market, as “Take what you need. Give what you can.” We received enough donations to cover 50% of our cost. We are pleased with the program and will continue.
Winter Harvest
This season, 40 subscribers to our CSA program will receive an overflowing box of local produce either biweekly or monthly from November through March. Volunteers pick up and help sort the produce into individual boxes at St. John’s Community Center. Subscribers pick up their boxes there; delivery is available. This is our only program with a set fee.
School Harvest Bags
Through this new program, we are providing 10 families from both Koontz Elementary and North Rowan Middle School with bags of fresh produce every other week from November through March. School counselors receive and distribute the bags. We believe the regular deliveries of fresh produce will significantly impact the health of the students and their families.
Next Step and Small Farmer Grants
To encourage local farmers and their endeavors, we awarded two $5,000 grants and three $500 grants this year. We work closely with local farmers and with the Salisbury Farmer’s Market. We always pay the farmers! Our goal is to keep them in business.
Sustainability Book Club
Our group of readers has been meeting in various ways for many years now. The current club meets monthly on Zoom to discuss interesting books such as Edible North Carolina, The Bald Eagle, An Immense World and The Book Lover’s Cookbook. Join us!
Donations and Grants Received
We are so grateful for the support that we receive so that we may help others. Here are some of our supporters this year:
Salisbury-Rowan Foundation
St. John Lutheran Foundation
Robertson Foundation
NC Lutheran Synod Foundation
St. Luke’s Episcopal Foundation
Rowan Arts Council
Woodson Foundation
Novant Health
New Sarum Brewing
Riot at the Brewery sponsors, donors and attendees
And all the individuals who believe in us!
