AgWest, NWAC, 2nd Harvest Teaming Up To Fight Hunger

In recognition of the hard work and innovation of those who grow our food, AgWest Farm Credit and Northwest Agricultural Consultants have announced plans to partner with 2nd Harvest to celebrate the impact the local farming community makes for people facing hunger. In addition to marking the great relationship, the three groups are encouraging you to help feed those in need by matching the first $15,000 donated during Ag Month this March.

“We are so fortunate to live in a region that provides a cornucopia of healthy food,” said Jason Clark, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “Our friends at AgWest and NWAG are leaders in understanding what it takes to provide food from field to plate.”

Heidi Whitman, Director, Marketing and PR, at AgWest agreed. "AgWest Farm Credit understands how essential a robust and productive agricultural industry is to nourish communities,” she said. “It's especially important that we partner in efforts to grow fresh and nutritious food to share with our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Good food builds great communities and we're proud to walk alongside local farmers, producers, and Second Harvest in making a difference throughout the Inland Northwest."

“Jason and his team at Second Harvest frequently remind us all that it’s the first harvest that makes the second harvest possible,” said Wade Carter, NWAG’s president and lab director. “We’re fortunate to work year-round with the people who raise crops in this region, from beans to wheat, and corn to tree fruits.”

Hunger they said is unnecessary, unacceptable, and starves human potential. Ag industry partners come together with a common goal of nourishing our neighbors through contributions of good food and practical solutions, because no one deserves to be hungry. Longtime partnerships, including Dairy for Life and Beef Counts, along with small and large farms and production operations, share millions of pounds of regionally grown fruits, vegetables, legumes, and other proteins that feed the Inland Northwest.

All this month, including National Ag Day on March 21st, 2nd Harvest is honoring the ag community, highlighting agriculture’s contributions on social media and at both of their Hunger Solutions Centers, in Pasco and Spokane.

AgWest Farm Credit is contributing $10,000 and Northwest Agricultural Consultants is contributing $5,000 to help Second Harvest obtain food for people in the region facing food insecurity. During the month of March, AgWest and NWAG will match the first $15,000 donated. Take action at www.2- Page 2 of 2 Second Harvest would be happy to arrange onsite visits at our distribution centers to capture footage of bulk fresh food donations arriving, volunteers repacking fresh fruits and vegetables, and to help connect media partners with ag partners for interviews.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com