First Fruits Farm Unveils Expanded Baltimore County Distribution Center, Pledges Increased Food Production To Alleviate Mid-Atlantic Hunger

BALTIMORE COUNTY - First Fruits Farm, a non-profit that grows and supplies fresh produce to alleviate hunger in the mid-Atlantic region, recently unveiled its newly expanded Baltimore County distribution center at a ceremony attended by over 250 guests.

The event marks the beginning of the organization's 25th year of feeding those in need and includes the disclosure of recently obtained farmland.

The new distribution center, an upgrade of the previous building, nearly doubles the footprint to more than 13,000 square feet on the farm located in Freeland. Improvements geared towards the 2023 harvest season and future operations include production lines for packaging, vast storage spaces with refrigeration, a new loading dock adaptable to all vehicle sizes, an equipment repair shop, added offices, and restrooms.

Several foundations and the state of Maryland contributed to fully fund the distribution center, marking the state's first support for the farm. In 2023, First Fruits Farm plans to collaborate with 200 distribution organizations, marking a substantial rise from 35 in 2020, and host around 18,000 volunteers.

The farm's growth continues with the recent unexpected acquisition of a nearby property, introducing an additional 60 arable acres. This expansion boosts expected production to about 2.8 million pounds of food this year and projects 3 million pounds in the coming years, exceeding the current strategic plan's goals.