As a Madison County Chamber Ambassador it is my good job to take to new Chamber members a plaque commemorating their membership. This also gives me opportunity to meet some of the leaders at the new member HQ and to learn more about what their business does. On Tuesday, June 10th I visited the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia in Athens with these goals in mind. My husband Greg was with me.

We volunteer with several food related non-profits in Madison County and often I have heard others who bring food to these groups say, “ I just went by the NEGA Food Bank” as they unload boxes of breads or vegetables from their vehicles. So I expected a sort of warehouse, but was surprised to pull up to a 37 acre complex with garage doors over several large bays, pick up offices, administrative offices, a large parking lot, and even landscaping plants in place and well cared for!

The seeds for this NEGA blessing were first started in 2002 and have grown steadily since. From serving areas of Clarke County originally, they now serve people in counties from Clayton in the NEGA mountains to Elbert County and even south of Athens in a multi-county outreach. Realizing that good nutrition has to do with eating healthy foods healthfully prepared and that most of us eat what we like, this organization has even created classes and has a commercial kitchen in the Georgia mountains to introduce new recipes, new foods, and healthy cooking practices to residents of that area. What dedication!

Public Relations Director Colson Holt greeted us and gave a one hour tour of the facility including a history of the organization and answering a myriad of questions. He says, “It works this way, a non-profit group must apply for membership. If they qualify, they pay an annual membership fee and then purchase food at greatly discounted prices. The non-profits then distribute the food as best meet the needs of the people they serve.”

To discover more, please visit the website at foodbanknega.org. You’ll be glad you did. The NE GA Food Bank is an excellent resource for helping create sustainable food opportunities in our multi-county region of the state.

Article written by Nancy Schillo, Madison County Food to Kids Board Member and Chamber Ambassador.