Farmers Feeding Utah Launches Fourth “Miracle Project” to Needy Families in the Uinta Basin

As impacts of the health pandemic continue throughout the state, the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation’s Farmers Feeding Utah campaign is launching its fourth “Miracle Project” to provide relief to farmers and families. In partnership with Utah State University Extension, the Uinta Basin Miracle Project will take place Friday, September 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Western Park in Vernal.

According to Heidi LeBlanc, director of the Utah State University Hunger Solutions Institute and USU Extension’s Create Better Health program, thousands of individuals have lost employment and signed up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Utah, many of whom live in Daggett, Duchesne and Uintah counties.

With the continued rise in the numbers of the Coronavirus, along with the decline in demand for fuel, many energy companies have been on hold – greatly impacting the families working in that industry.

“By serving a community in the Uinta Basin, Farmers Feeding Utah is able to react quickly to the economic conditions in the area and connect families and individuals in need with healthy food choices from Utah farms,” said LeBlanc. “Together, Farm Bureau, USU and other volunteers, partners and donors are inspiring public confidence and support in American agriculture and meeting hunger needs at the same time.

Ron Gibson, president of the Utah Farm Bureau, said as harm drags on, more and more families need help – both farm families and neighbors struggling with food insecurity.

“With the help of donors and businesses, we’ve been able to rise to the challenge so far, but we need their help again now,” he said.

Volunteers will soon notify those recently unemployed in the Uinta Basin area with details about picking up the farm-fresh food on September 25. Donations to the “Miracle of Agriculture Foundation” for the Farmers Feeding Utah project are used to purchase, process and deliver food to families in need, giving both struggling farmers and Utah families a helping hand.

To date, the Farmers Feeding Utah campaign has raised more than $400,000 in donations from individuals and businesses. It has also provided more than 500,000 pounds of food, with a retail value of more than $500,000 to Utah residents in the Navajo Nation, northern Utah, West Salt Lake, Ogden and smaller community pantries throughout the Wasatch Front.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to this project, visit FarmersFeedingUtah.org.

Writers:  Julene Reese, Julene.Reese@usu.edu

                Matt Hargreaves, Matt.Hargreaves@fbfs.com

Contact: Heidi LeBlanc, Heidi.Leblanc@usu.edu