The Farm Stand is continuing its mission to alleviate food insecurity in Dutchess County with a food distribution protocol aligned with Centers for Disease Control safety protocols. It will be distributing its free fruits and vegetables the third Friday of each month through the Family Partnership in the City of Poughkeepsie. Prior to Covid, the Farm Stand’s free monthly distribution took place at the Poughkeepsie Trolley Barn.

Pedestrians can pick up a free bag of groceries between noon and 1:30 p.m. They must walk through the North Clinton Street gate of the Family Partnership and exit through the North Hamilton Street gate.

Alternatively, cars can pick up a bag from 2 to 3:30 p.m., using the front entrance of the Family Partnership Center off of North Hamilton Street and exiting through the North Clinton Street gate. 

Through the better part of the coronavirus pandemic, the Farm Stand has altered the way it operates free distribution, providing produce through its Food Pantry program at the Family Partnership Center, according to Sarah Salem, director of development for Dutchess Outreach, which operates the Farm Stand.

“As food insecurity rates rise locally and as more community members face barriers to obtaining fruits and vegetables, the need to revisit the Farm Stand program model became necessary. We’re proud to continue to work to expand access to healthier foods throughout our Dutchess County community,” Salem says. 

“Dutchess Outreach exists to widen community food security and food sovereignty, increase advocacy and provide emergency relief by offering a range of vital services for those in need to ensure that equitable physical and economic access to safe, nutritious, culturally appropriate and sustainably grown food is available at all times across our community, regardless of income or zip code.”

For more info, call 845.454.3792 or visit DutchessOutreach.org.