{"id":22491,"date":"2024-09-30T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/lynchburg-va\/?p=22491"},"modified":"2024-09-30T18:15:57","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T18:15:57","slug":"growing-beyond-barriers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/lynchburg-va\/growing-beyond-barriers\/","title":{"rendered":"Growing Beyond Barriers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

W<\/strong>HEN SHOPPING the aisles of the local grocery store, we share everyday struggles: rising prices, shrinking content, and inconsistent availability. For many, time constraints and budgets overrule the desire to provide healthy meals for their families. Convenience wins, and the bags at the checkout counter bulge with pre-packaged meals and boxed snacks. Shoppers carry the frustration of their choices home with their purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNext time will be different,\u201d we promise ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next time can be different thanks to the resources provided by Lynchburg Grows, an urban farm impacting the lives of consumers from all socioeconomic backgrounds. At the core of its operations is a thriving community-supported agriculture (CSA) program serving 300 families weekly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur model is a little different,\u201d Executive Director Shelley Blades explained. \u201cWe supply a ton of the produce, but there are things we just don\u2019t grow because we\u2019re in greenhouses. So we source those from other farmers. We really want\u00a0to make sure that we are providing what we can from the farm, supporting other local farms, and getting the word out about the great work they\u2019re doing.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collaboration is a core principle. Lynchburg Grows is committed to making healthy food accessible to everyone, offering scholarships and work-trade options for those struggling to afford CSA memberships. It also accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and participates in the Virginia Fresh Match program, which allows SNAP recipients to purchase produce at half price.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll our prices at our store are cheaper than at the grocery store. We\u2019re a nonprofit, so we\u2019re not trying to make money \u2014 we\u2019re just trying to help people. A lot of people don\u2019t know there\u2019s lots of options for them,\u201d said Blades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lynchburg Grows participates in an innovative health initiative, FreshRx, a local version of a produce prescription program. The organization works with local doctors who treat uninsured or underinsured patients and fills the doctors\u2019 prescriptions by providing a four-week class. Access to healthy food and the proper tools and knowledge for preparing meals is often a barrier, and the program works to overcome as many roadblocks as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe class meets once a week. They get a bag of free veggies and then a lesson on how to use those veggies, why they\u2019re important for your health, and different ways to incorporate those into your diet,\u201d said Blades. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to change your diet. It\u2019s hard to change your habits. But we want to make sure that we are doing our part and helping people have the information if they choose to do that.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the CSA and FreshRx programs, the on-site store, a farmers market, is open every Thursday. The store provides another avenue for the community to access fresh, locally-grown produce. The organization also has a robust donation program, partnering with local organizations to distribute fresh produce to those in need. This approach allows Lynchburg Grows to extend its reach and impact, supporting existing community efforts to address food insecurity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe donate to organizations who are already doing great work with people who could benefit from some free produce,\u201d Blades shared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lynchburg Grows\u2019 mission is two-fold: to work with our community to provide access to healthy food and afford purposeful jobs to individuals with disabilities. Today, the organization employs five people with disabilities who form the backbone of the farm operations. These employees work four days a week, handling crucial tasks from harvesting to distribution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want to make sure we\u2019re working with our farmers to help them work toward their goals, even if it\u2019s not a career goal,\u201d Blades shared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just about job skills \u2014 it\u2019s about life skills, fostering independence, and personal growth. Whether learning to take the bus or aspiring to lead field trips, Lynchburg Grows tailors its support to each individual\u2019s aspirations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the seasons change, Lynchburg Grows remains active. At the end of each year, a holiday box program provides meals for families in need, ensuring that families have access to nutritious food even during the holidays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not an official program, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve tried to prioritize,\u201d Blades said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a world where convenience often trumps nutrition, Lynchburg Grows fills the gap with accessible, sustainable, and community-focused agriculture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As shoppers continue to navigate the aisles of local grocery stores, Lynchburg Grows offers a different path. Through its diverse programs, from CSA boxes to FreshRx classes, it addresses the struggles that many face: rising prices, time constraints, and the desire for healthier options. By making fresh produce accessible, providing education, and fostering community connections, Lynchburg Grows is helping rewrite the story of how we feed ourselves and our families. The organization is proving that with the proper support and resources, those promises we make ourselves about eating better can indeed become a reality. GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WHEN SHOPPING the aisles of the local grocery store, we share everyday struggles: rising prices, shrinking content, and inconsistent availability. For many, time constraints and budgets overrule the desire to provide healthy meals for their families. Convenience wins, and the bags at the checkout counter bulge with pre-packaged meals and boxed snacks. Shoppers carry the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":22495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\nGrowing Beyond Barriers - Lynchburg, VA Good News Exchange<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/lynchburg-va\/growing-beyond-barriers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Growing Beyond Barriers - Lynchburg, VA Good News Exchange\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"WHEN SHOPPING the aisles of the local grocery store, we share everyday struggles: rising prices, shrinking content, and inconsistent availability. 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