REIDSVILLE, GA - My favorite thing about the produce industry is the willingness to give back. Every day, I see examples of companies using their time and resources to make a difference in the communities they serve, and it never ceases to inspire me while also warming my heart. Among them is Shuman Farms, led by John Shuman, which continues to stand out as a pioneer when it comes to philanthropy. Because of its unique initiatives, the supplier was honored with our second annual Besties Award for Best Philanthropic Initiatives.

“Shuman Farms believes that as farmers and food producers in the United States, it is our responsibility to shed light on hunger in America. Our team is made up of individuals who go above and beyond because they are passionate about making a difference in the world and the communities where our products are sold,” said President of Shuman Farms, John Shuman. “We have been very blessed to help countless families across the country understand the importance of living a healthy life, which starts with access to nutritious food.”

The team at Shuman Farms and its sister company Healthy Family Project have donated more than $7.5 million to those in need and 18 million meals to Feeding America® through its various charitable projects and programs. 

Healthy Family Project was founded by John in 2002 to bring together better-for-you brands to support important causes. Whether it’s developing recipes, telling stories, recording a podcast, or crafting a blog post, all of the organization’s content is crafted with families in mind with the goal of educating them about nutrition and healthy eating.

Since its inception two decades ago, Healthy Family Project has evolved to include other projects like Produce for Kids, Back To School With Healthy Family Project, Mission for Nutrition, Food Rx, and even a podcast. 

In June 2019, the grower began implementing its unique Feeding America sweet onion bags to provide donations during a critical time of year. With nearly 29.6 million students receiving free or reduced-cost meals at school, summer breaks can be challenging, so this initiative is crucial to helping raise money to fill nutrition gaps for children and their families. Shuman Farms also makes it a point to ship its sweet onions from Peru in Feeding America bags each November and December to raise awareness and donations during the holidays, another crucial time of year.

Locally, the supplier regularly volunteers at America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia in Savannah, Georgia, and sponsors Feed the Boro’s monthly food drop in Statesboro, Georgia.

For Shuman Farms, philanthropy is more than a show of support; it is a pillar of its company and a promise to use its products to do the most good for not only its partners but people nationwide.

Cheers to Shuman Farms on this well-deserved honor!

Shuman Farms