The Gullah Geechee people aren’t strangers to living off the land and consuming fresh, locally grown produce. They cherish their culture – from food and music to ways of life and their people. When the coronavirus pandemic reared its ugly face, Marshview Community Organic Farm sprang into action and applied for a Rapid Response Grant to deliver free, hot meals to seniors, children, and families at risk of food insecurity on St. Helena Island in Beaufort County.
“We are blessed to have such caring and compassionate supporters, who have not only opened their hearts but their wallets to help meet the needs of our community. When we pull together to help one another, we all reap a blessing,” said Sara Reynolds Green, owner of Marshview Community Organic Farm.
In conjunction with the South Carolina Coastal Community Development Corporation, the Gullah Grub Restaurant, the New Life Deliverance Temple and a host of other community organizations, Marshview Community Organic Farm and their partners delivered 2,450 hot meals over seven weeks.
“Meals delivered to senior citizens in their homes adds a vital layer of social contact and informal wellness checks for this vulnerable population,” said Green. “The single parents and the disabled populations are served through the drive-through meal pick-up and volunteers delivering to their homes.”
Marshview Community Organic Farm is a sanctuary for youth to learn about farming and work the land to provide local produce to the community in hopes of improving the health of the community. The farm focuses on training and promoting sustainable agriculture, traditional Gullah style cooking, eating and planting in season, healthy eating habits, and character development. Sara’s husband, Chef Bill Green, owns and runs the Gullah Grub, a restaurant that serves Gullah cuisine using produce from the farm.
On a side note, South Carolina’s Gullah Geechee communities, Marshview Community Organic Farm, and the Gullah Grub restaurant are all featured in an episode of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi on Hulu.
The Green’s and their partners continue their efforts to feed the community during the pandemic. To learn more about this effort, visit the Marshview Community Organic Farm website or their Facebook page.