FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Carlton Hill Farm Launches "Farm for Better" Initiative to Combat Regional Food Insecurity

Five-program community effort addresses hunger through local food production and distribution

Parkersburg, WV – Carlton Hill Farm announces the launch of Farm for Better, a comprehensive community-centered initiative designed to combat food insecurity throughout the region. All five programs are now operational and actively serving the community, combining local food production, community partnerships, and direct distribution to ensure high-quality, fresh food reaches families in need.

Food insecurity affects 1 in 6 people in West Virginia according to Feeding America, with rural communities facing particular challenges accessing fresh, nutritious food. Farm for Better addresses these gaps through five interconnected programs that leverage existing resources and community relationships.

Five Core Programs Address Multiple Aspects of Food Access

The Giving Harvest dedicates a portion of Carlton Hill Farm's growing space specifically for hunger relief, with fresh produce delivered directly to local missions, food pantries, and community programs. The program operates without paperwork or eligibility requirements.

The Kind Cut transforms flower sales into hunger relief funding, with 25% of all flower purchases going toward purchasing pantry staples for local food banks. This program allows community members to support hunger relief through everyday purchases.

The Community Crop Collective partners with private landowners to utilize underused growing space. Carlton Hill Farm handles all planting, care, and harvest, with 20% of the yield directed to hunger relief efforts while landowners and the farm share the remaining harvest.

The Crop Swap enables families to trade shelf-stable groceries for fresh farm products without money changing hands. The program reduces food waste while ensuring access to locally grown food when cash is limited.

The Young Roots Collective provides children ages 5-16 with growing supplies and instructions to cultivate food at home, with 100% of their harvest donated to families in need. Limited spots are available for the program's initial launch.

Community Partnership Model

The initiative emphasizes local decision-making and direct community involvement. All decisions are made locally, with every crop serving a purpose and every plot helping to feed someone in the community.

Farm for Better builds on Appalachian traditions of community support while addressing modern challenges of food access and distribution. The program aims to create sustainable systems that can expand as community involvement grows.

How to Get Involved

Community members can participate by purchasing flowers that support hunger relief, partnering through the Community Crop Collective, participating in the Crop Swap, or enrolling children in the Young Roots Collective. The farm welcomes partnerships with local landowners, businesses, and community organizations interested in supporting the initiative. Families needing food support are encouraged to reach out directly to the farm.

Carlton Hill Farm operates a farm stand and offers community-supported agriculture programs alongside the new Farm for Better initiative. The farm can be reached at info@carltonhillfarm.com.

For more information about Farm for Better or to get involved, contact Carlton Hill Farm at info@carltonhillfarm.com or visit the farm stand.

About Carlton Hill Farm Carlton Hill Farm is a community-focused agricultural operation serving the Parkersburg, West Virginia area. The farm emphasizes sustainable growing practices, local food systems, and community relationships. Farm for Better represents the farm's commitment to addressing food insecurity through practical, community-centered solutions.

Media Contact: Carlton Hill Farm info@carltonhillfarm.com