FRANKFORT, Ky. — Three years ago legislation passed the Kentucky General Assembly that created the Farm to Food Banks (FTFB) initiative in Kentucky.

Though it had no funding attached to the measure, the program has grown anyway and is supplying needs to an increasing number of people who use food pantries across the state, while helping farmers find an additional revenue stream.

The program is based on a simple concept: Purchase surplus goods or produce that is considered “seconds” and unsalable from state producers, and make it available to food banks located in Kentucky or those serving counties within the state.

It received a needed boost recently by way of the Kentucky Beef Council (KBC) and corporate neighbor Walmart. The KBC has brought together the beef industry to help supply a needed protein source to those in need through the FTFB program, while Walmart made a $100,000 donation for those efforts.

Beef Counts KY is a program established and endorsed by the KBC and will provide a consistent supply of nutrient-rich beef for people facing hunger in the state, according to information from the Kentucky Assoc. of Food Banks (KAFB), which oversees FTFB.

The Beef Counts program started in Idaho, Washington and Oregon, said Alison Smith, KBC director of marketing. “They have been doing it for several years with their farmers and they have a processor that actually matches their funds and, in turn, the food banks purchase their beef items from this processor. So we borrowed the idea and made it our own.”

In doing so, the organization has reached out to auction markets as well as farmers through the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Assoc., extension and other farming organizations. Farmers can donate cash or proceeds from the sale of a cow to Beef Counts KY, while 14 livestock markets across the state are participating by forwarding proceeds from donated beef animals. The donations will be used by members of the KAFB to supply beef products to those in need.

Smith added high-quality protein sources are often difficult for food banks to acquire, yet the donation of one animal or the cash equivalent can supply approximately 1,600 servings of beef. She said the goals for the program are high.

“We would hope that farmers see this program as an easy way to ensure that every Kentuckian has access to nutritious beef and by donating to Beef Counts that is going to bring us one step closer,” she added.

During a press conference to announce the Beef Counts KY program, Walmart Senior Manager of Public Affairs Jason Wetzel presented a ceremonial check from the Walmart Foundation to the KAFB for $100,000.

“We know that when we provide healthy, nutritious food to Kentucky families we can empower them to make good choices for themselves and in their communities,” said Wetzel. “At the Walmart Foundation, we strive to work with agencies that have a proven track record.

“Last year the KAFB members gave out 51 million pounds of food and grocery products to over 1,000 feeding agencies throughout the state. It is for that reason the Walmart Foundation thought it appropriate to support their efforts.”

Tamara Sandberg, KAFB director, said such donations have helped run the FTFB program. She also said more farmers are looking to FTFB as a way to sell their produce seconds.

State Rep. Tom McKee (D-Cynthiana) sponsored the FTFB bill and was on hand during the press conference. He said it has been good to see people who are hungry getting food.

“If we can in some way help that, we have done our job,” he said. “Although our job’s not over, we know we are going to continue to see programs like this grow.”

McKee added the work involved in this endeavor has been a labor of love for him, learning of how great the need is in Kentucky. It is estimated more than 750,000 people in the state, or 17 percent, do not always know where they will find their next meal, according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study.

McKee also said the program has also been good for farmers, in finding another source for the food they grow, and that he will keep trying to get the General Assembly to provide funding for the program.

Rep. Wilson Stone (D-Scottsville) was also on hand for the announcements. He said from a farmer’s perspective, the FTFB program is a welcome venue for produce growers. “So many of our farmers have diversified and when you move into fresh produce, you move into a delicate market. Timing is everything, weather is everything and it’s very difficult to have a market for all you produce,” he said.

“Farmers are prone to set out all they need and a little more to make sure they have enough to meet their market (needs). If we have funding, we can take this FTFB concept and take that to farms that have overproduction and seconds. It’s very nutritious and there is a lot of food there, if we can just pay the harvest and transportation.”

Stone added the money will really do two things: help the farmer’s operation while helping to provide those who need it a nutritious diet.

“There are not many places you can do that – take a dollar and really do two good things with it: sustain a farm that we want to be there producing next year, and sustain a person that we want to be healthy and productive,” he said.