Produce distribution program helps farmers and residents

Cass County participated in a program of food distribution Saturday when residents found they were able to receive boxes of farm fresh produce without cost.

More than 100 cars came by in a two-hour distribution effort Saturday morning in a parking lot at 300 S. Main St., where some 25 local workers braved the summer heat to unload an 18-wheel tractor-trailer full of food.

The distribution had been arranged by local U. S. Department of Agriculture liaison Horace Hodge of Linden, Texas, who has worked with the USDA Farmers To Families Food Box program.

The program begun in April of this year is a coronavirus food assistance program which helps farmers, ranchers and consumers respond to the national emergency.

“The farmer is paid for his food product and the consumer receives boxes of food,” Hodge said as he guided a group of enthusiastic givers and receivers that morning.

The distribution effort came off smoothly as cars rolled along a single-file line to be greeted by several volunteers who loaded as many boxes as were requested. By the morning’s end and the number of cars at a trickle, it seemed everyone who wanted one had received a box of food.

Leaders credited the successful distribution at a minimum to these following organizations: Fairview Reunion Corporation, City of Linden, Community Services of Northeast Texas, Linden United, Linden Together and many individual volunteers.

The food distribution will take place again at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the same location.

Photo by Neil Abeles ■ Local leaders who gathered supporters from their organizations to help distribute food are, from left; Bob Swisher, Frances Thompson, Lucky Boyd, Flo Stevenson, Horace Hodge, Allie Anderson, Malthus Northcutt and Christophe Trahan.

Photo by Neil Abeles ■ Eager to give out boxes of food are volunteers, from left, Bob Swisher on tractor, Allie Anderson, Gavin Swanson, Luci Trahan and Joseph Swanson. They are working with the Farmers to Families Food Box distribution program.

Photo by Neil Abeles ■ Jim Jones of Irving, Texas, who drove the truck of food to Linden, said his heart was touched by the local reception. “The people here are so good,” he said. “They were honking their horns when I drove in and have been so helpful to unload.”