Local organization provides hot meals and fresh produce for Albany’s unsung heroes

ALBANY, Ga. – The global pandemic may be isolating people from their friends and family, but community members right here in Albany are finding ways to unite and help others during this time.

The non-profit, Flint River Fresh, along with a number of farmers and local restaurants, have banded together to serve Albany’s essential workers.

Executive Director for Flint River Fresh, Fernando Jackson, also known as Farmer Fredo, is spending his days digging out fresh veggies and feeding essential workers. And he’s not alone.

“We partnered with Stewbos which is a hospitality company here in Albany, got with their staff, identified 14 locations that we could take a hot meal and fresh produce [to].”

Jackson says adding the hot meals to the produce goodie bags simultaneously supports local restaurants and farmers while placing smiles on the faces of those on the front lines providing services during this pandemic.

The effort is directly funded by private donations and contributions.

And although Saturday was supposed to be the end of  Flint River Fresh’s program, additional funding was provided to continue the efforts for another 14 days.

That’s potentially another 200 meals, and another 200 bags of nutritious veggies to the community’s essential workers.

“We’re just trying to show a thank you and support for the work they’re doing or just thank you and support that we understand your struggle and that we are here as an organization and as a community to support and lift one another up. That’s what we’re supposed to do.”

Jackson says he looks forward to the upcoming weeks and encourages members of the community to reach out to the organization to help them find people to feed during this pandemic.

If you would like to support Flint River Fresh’s program, you can donate here. Jackson says the organization is also seeking people with any types of skills that would be beneficial to keeping the program going, you can email the organization at: info@flintriverfresh.org.