SECC Restorative Justice Program provides produce to SEMO Food Bank to distribute in area

SIKESTON — A partnership between Southeast Missouri Food Bank and Southeast Correctional Center’s Restorative Justice Program has helped increase produce availability to hunger relief agencies throughout the area. Members of the program have begun cultivating produce from a seven acre garden at the Southeast Correctional Center.

In 2017, Department of Corrections Restorative Justice Gardens in Missouri produced 133 tons of fresh produce for donation to food banks and other organizations. Lettuce, watermelons, and strawberries are just a few of the produce options that will soon be available from the garden. When produce is ready to be picked up, Food Bank trucks are quick to act to get the produce distributed while fresh.

“SECC justice involved individuals have donated fresh produce to local community / faith-based organizations to reduce hunger in the Missouri Bootheel for years,” Warden Jason W. Lewis said. “This effort is coordinated through the Restorative Justice program. Our newly formed partnership with the SEMO Food bank has just been fantastic. 

He continued: “It truly enhances our ability to grow a wider variety of produce and also eliminate the potential for waste. Our offenders involved in the Restorative Justice program take the concept of giving back as a means of reparation very seriously. We can observe this in the meticulous care and the pride that they take in producing the highest quality fresh vegetables. They also take pride in knowing that the vegetables will be used to help feed people in the local area.”

SEMO Food Bank clients are at significantly increased risk of diet-related chronic diseases. While produce consist of at least 50 percent of diet, produce only consist of 25 percent of food donations. Increasing access to fruits and vegetables is critical to improve health outcomes. Seniors are most vulnerable. SEMO Food Bank client households with seniors have three times the prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases (such as diabetes) compared to the general Southeast Missouri population.

“Missouri has the sixth highest rate of senior food insecurity in the nation and 1 in 5 households in our area struggle with hunger. We are delighted to have the opportunity to not only provide food for those who need it, but also have the privilege to provide fresh, healthy produce,” said Karen Green, Southeast Missouri Food Bank-Chief Executive Officer.

The program not only helps offenders learn gardening skills, but also provides back to those in need in our community. Lewis added: “The partnership allowed us to expand our growing an additional 3 acres which supports the Registered Apprenticeship program in Horticulture. Offenders are excited and harvest from that area will start in a week.”