Page 21 - Annual Meeting, 2019

What were the reasons for the decline ? One would be the lack of calling to remind people
of the harvest. This was a time consuming process to call up to 200 people. The thinking
was that those who really needed and appreciated the harvest would track it on their
calendars and come. Secondly, in some months the weather has been challenging. Lastly
there may have been some improvement in food insecurity. From 2015-2016 it dropped
from 12.2% to 12.1% in Caroline. In Essex, King George and Westmoreland the declines
were more significant – Essex -.5%, King George, -.7%, Westmoreland -1.4%. The
percentages, however, can hide the real need. Even at 12.1%, it includes 3,750 in Caroline
County and in Essex because the county is smaller, 1,700 people.

For those who came to the Harvest in 2018, the value increased in both pounds provided
and value of the food. Total pounds provided per person on average rose from 9 to 13
pounds. The value per shopper rose from $54 to $73 per month based on the pounds.

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