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FFA students to help food bank during Mid-South Farm & Gin Show.

January 20, 2021

3 Min Read
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National FFA Organization members from across the Mid-South gather to fill food boxes at the Farm Show Feeds event during the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show. Staff

Each year at the Mid-South Farm &Gin Show, FFA students from around the Mid-South gather and package nutritious meals for distribution by the Mid-South Food Bank. Through this activity, the students have packaged hundreds of thousands of meals.

“We know there are many in the Mid-South and beyond that are challenged to put food on the table,” according to Tim Price, show manager, and executive director of Southern Cotton Ginners Association. “We are honored to partner with FFA Chapters to perform this community service.”

As of this writing, FFA students will package meals on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, Tenn.

“While it’s always possible that we will have to make other arrangements to package these meals, we’re hopeful to be able to do this annual event,” Price said.

Mid-South Food Bank provides, on average 36,000 meals per day to supplement households that are food insecure. The Food Bank serves 31 counties across the Mid-South.

At the 2020 event, Price drove home the importance of the annual event. “While it could be difficult for some folks to understand why an event like this is so important, this effort literally places food in the hands of people in areas across the Mid-South living in areas characterized as ‘food deserts,’” Price said.

Food deserts are those parts of the country that don’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other whole foods. Lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other healthy food providers don’t serve these areas or are in very limited locations.

Price said food insecurity is heightened this year as a result of COVID.

“People have lost jobs and income as a result of COVID,” Price said. “People are spending hours in long, long lines at food pantries across the US. And pantries are stressed to provide sufficient food to those in need. These meals can make a big difference in a family’s ability to feed themselves.”

The 2021 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show is sponsored by Southern Cotton Ginners Association and Foundation and Delta Farm Press. The show is scheduled for Feb. 26-27, 2021, at the Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, Tenn.

The 2021 show includes a virtual component — an online experience featuring live and pre-recorded sessions. Ag Outlook seminars featuring Joe Nicosia (Friday, Feb. 26, 8:30 a.m.) covering global cotton markets, and Richard Brock (Saturday, Feb. 27, 8:30 a.m.) who will provide his unique insight into the grain markets and global economy.

Other seminars, including a rice marketing seminar featuring Milo Hamilton, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27,1:30 p.m. Exhibitors at the 2021 show will also have dedicated online sites to interact with show attendees.

Price said registration for the event will be released soon, and people are encouraged to pre-register for the event. “There will be incentives to pre-register,” Price said. “Those interested in attending should visit the show website — www.farmandginshow.com — to pre-register and be eligible for cash prizes.”

Details and additional information about the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show are available at the website. Interested individuals can also contact Southern Cotton Ginners Association at 901-947-3014.

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