Black History Month: Together, we are ending hunger

It's Black History Month—now and year-round, we honor and partner with Black farmers, advocates, volunteers and neighbors who face hunger and are working to help end it in their communities across the country. Because it takes all of us working together to end hunger.

Black-led organizations are addressing hunger at its roots. And Feeding America helps provide resources and the support they need to grow these incredible programs.

Feeding America's Food Security Equity Impact Fund has invested over $20 million in partner organizations like the Gullah Farmers Cooperative and Ivy Leaf Farm, led by people of color, to drive community-focused solutions to address hunger.

Ashley Walker, Gullah Farmers Cooperative

Growing up in rural South Carolina, Ashley Walker remembers her family's half-hour drives to the nearest grocery store. That experience made her interested in ways to ensure more people can access healthy, reliable food. "I believe that access to food is the foundation of equity," she said.

Today, as a Farmer Educator and Wholesale Specialist at the Gullah Farmers Cooperative Association, her work is focused on helping connect more people with fresh food.

The Gullah Farmers Cooperative connects Black farmers in the Gullah Geechee community with opportunities to sell their crops, which in turn helps all local neighbors access fresh, local produce.

Ivy Walls, Ivy Leaf Farms

During the pandemic, Ivy Walls saw a unique opportunity and need: a space where people could learn to grow food for others and nourish themselves. "No one farm can feed thousands of people," she said, "but what we can do is call people back to feeding themselves."

That's why Ivy started Ivy Leaf Farms, a community garden and gathering space on the back acres of her family's farm in Houston.

With support from the Food Security Equity Impact Fund and the Houston Food Bank, Ivy Leaf Farms continues to expand its outreach. Dedicated to complete neighborhood wellness through food equity in Sunnyside, a historically Black community, they grow vegetables, host events, build gardens and help neighbors learn about sustainable growing practices.

This is what ending hunger together looks like—investing in the work of people who understand the challenges their neighbors face and are actively working to address them. This Black History Month, and every month, let's celebrate all leaders and community members working to end hunger.

Thank you.

— Feeding America

P.S. Want to help support programs like these? Make a gift to Feeding America today.