Thirty-six students from three FFA Chapters will join forces to package at least 10,000 highly-nutritional meals, which will be donated to the Mid-South Food Bank. The activities are part of the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show and will be Saturday, March 2, in the Steamboat Room, Mezzanine Level, Cook Convention Center, Memphis, Tenn.

Tim Price, show manager, says the effort is part of Farm Show Feeds -- an off-shoot of Memphis Feeds -- which works to combat hunger throughout the greater Memphis area and beyond.

“For the past several years, the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show has collaborated with various associations, including the Mid-South Food Bank to raise awareness about anti-hunger efforts,” Price says. “We have collected funds and food for the Mid-South Food Bank and other programs such as Feeding America. We became aware of this initiative and thought it was the next logical step in our efforts.”

Ingredients of the packaged Kids Care meals are being provided by Outreach, Inc. According to the organization’s website, each package provides six nutritionally complete servings at a cost of 25 cents per serving. The meals, developed by the Kids Care team in cooperation with internationally recognized nutritionists, are comprised of rice, fortified soy protein, vegetables, and essential vitamins andminerals. A macaroni and cheese dish has been developed, as well, for distribution to local food banks and pantries for the food insecure in theUnited States.

Price notes although the 36 students will fulfill the needs for three lines of individuals packaging meals, others are welcome to attend. This will not only provide support for the FFA studentsbut allow visitors to participate in the event, as well. “There will be ample opportunities to participate,” he says.

Again, the meal packaging event will take place on Saturday, March 2, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Steamboat Room, Mezzanine Level, Cook Convention Center, Memphis, Tenn. It’s all part of the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show, March 1 and 2, at the Center. Show hours are Friday, March 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, March 2, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information is available at www.farmandginshow.com, or on Facebook – www.facebook.com/farmandginshow.