Food boxes are now being distributed weekly at J. E. Johnson Elementary School in Prentiss.

R3SM, in conjunction with Jefferson Davis County Long Term Recovery, is currently participating in the USDA Farmers to Family program.

As part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, the USDA is exercising authority under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to purchase and distribute agricultural products to those in need.

Through this program, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is partnering with national, regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses, to purchase up to $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat products from American producers of all sizes.

The program will supply food boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meat products and a combination box of fresh produce, dairy or meat products.

Distributors will package these products into family-sized boxes, then transport them to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need.

Distribution of boxes will begin at  noon each Thursday in July and August.

AMS may elect to extend the period of performance of the contracts, via option periods, dependent upon program success and available remaining funds, up to $3 billion.

Different food items will be included in the boxes each week.

In order to assist as many families as possible, there will be only one box given per car while supplies last.

Canopy Childrens Services LINK program which links children and families to needed resources will also be participating in the community outreach.

J.E. Johnson Elementary School  is in the former Prentiss High School location on Hwy 42 in Prentiss.