Boone County buys food from local farmers as COVID-19 increases need

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Commission on Thursday approved a purchasing agreement with local farmers to help feed the hungry.

Under the agreement, which was approved unanimously, the county buys the food from farmers who sell at the Columbia Farmers Market and gives it to the local food bank.

Boone County Commissioner Janet Thompson said during an interview that the county is full of farmers who have products readily available to transport to local food banks.

Thompson said the commission is trying to make the best use of local agricultural resources.

The idea was spearheaded by Steve Hollis and Joanne Nelson, who worked with other community services to identify areas of need and found food insecurity was a top concern, Thompson said.

One organization tapped for this idea, Stanton Brothers Eggs, has the resources to be able to provide fresh eggs to those food banks, she said.

Thompson said about $12,000 has been allotted to buy food from local farmers. Commissioner Fred Parry said the money comes from revenue the county gets in an agreement with BJC Health Care for the operation of Boone Hospital Center.