Hundreds benefit from Clara White Mission food distribution event

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of Jacksonville community members received free food on Friday during a food distribution event.

The Clara White Mission said people started lining up as early as 4 a.m. to receive free food, and that the line stretched over a mile long from White Harvest farms on Moncrief to Northwestern on 45th.

Tyson Foods and the Clara White Mission White Harvest Farms partnered to provide organic food and produce to Jacksonville residents to promote food sustainability in Historic Moncrief Springs. The food distribution ran from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Tyson Foods Jacksonville gave away 400 pounds of chicken and pork chops to neighbors in the area -- which is one of 40 areas categorized as a food desert in Jacksonville.

White Harvest Farms also hosted the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program. Eligible seniors received $40 coupons that could be used at the White Harvest Farm to purchase items offered at the farmer’s market.