- State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was in Easton on Wednesday to disclose the theme of the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg in January
- Redding was complimentary of the recently announced initiative between local organizations and local farmers to develop a sustainable food infrastructure in the region
- The secretary chose to come to Easton upon learning of the new local initiative
EASTON, Pa. — The question was whispered but clearly audible.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding appeared at the West Ward Farmers Market in Easton on Wednesday afternoon to reveal the theme of the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg in January.
As a group of fifth-graders from Paxinosa Elementary School pulled off a blue covering to unveil a sign with the theme — Connecting Our Communities — an attendee wondered in a hush, “Why did he come here to announce it?”
Truth be told, Secretary Redding didn’t just flip a coin.
It was announced this week that eight local organizations, including Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Kellyn Foundation, have joined to develop a sustainable food infrastructure program with local farmers.
When that news release was completed in August, it was sent to the state Agriculture Department. The intention was purely informational.
It became more than that.
"Farms are our best pharmacy."Dr. Meagan Grega, M.D., chief medical officer and co-founder, Kellyn Foundation
“Two weeks later, the secretary’s office called,” said Eric Ruth, chief executive officer and co-founder of Kellyn Foundation, a nonprofit that addresses food access and hunger in the Lehigh Valley.
“The email climbed the ladder to Secretary Redding. He was so impressed with our initiative that he called to say he’d like to announce the Farm Show theme here in the Lehigh Valley.”
Redding remarked Wednesday that in deciding where to announce the Farm Show theme, “There is not a better backdrop in this market, on this day, in Easton to clearly demonstrate the importance of farmers and the foods we love to eat.
“We’re very mindful of the impact if people don’t have access to the foods they need — from the farms to the farmers to the consumers. All of us have this expectation that we're going to eat today. But we understand that for a lot of folks that’s not possible.
“You cannot have a charitable food system without a food system that is charitable.”
Dr. Meagan Grega, chief medical officer and co-founder of Kellyn Foundation, noted a study that showed that if people switched from a standard diet to an optimal diet by age 20, it would extend their life by 10 years.
“Farms,” Grega said, “are our best pharmacy.”
Erik McGaughey, chief executive officer of Meals on Wheels of the Lehigh Valley, praised the importance of the local initiative in its mission to ensure healthy farm-grown foods are accessible to those who need them.
“It’s said if you want to go fast, go alone,” he said. “If you want to go far, go together. We are here together to serve the Lehigh Valley. We are a partner.”
Ruth repeated Grega's comment that farms are our best pharmacy.
“The farms here in the Lehigh Valley are the answer,” he said. “They can help us live a healthier life.
“We need to build a food infrastructure. But we need everybody to join our initiative. We can’t do it as silos; we need to do it together.”
