Bar Association supports health-care workers

from Community Guide 2020

Civil Air Patrol cadets help deliver food

‘Fueling the Frontline’

Bar association, restaurants partner to feed health-care workers

The Prince William County Bar Association has partnered with Novant Health UVA Health Systems to launch a new initiative called “Fueling the Frontline.”

Th e program provides meals to healthcare workers at Novant’s Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, and the meals are purchased from local restaurants who have suff ered economic challenges due to pandemic-mandated business closings.

“We have all been looking for ways to support our local healthcare heroes and local businesses hit hard by the pandemic,” said Tracey Lennox, president of the bar association. “Th is program gives members of our local bar association a great way to do that.”

In July, bar association members supported donation of the fi rst dinner for the entire shift of about 50 healthcare workers in the emergency room and critical care units of the hospital.

Elizabeth Rodemsky, manager of volunteer services for Novant, said workers were stunned when the meals were delivered. “Th e support of the community means everything to them.”

Zandra’s Taqueria prepared the fi rst dinner at a discount, and the association said it hoped to continue the eff ort in the fall.

Bar association members Azadeh Malkek and Mark Branca developed and administer the program.

Devon Richardson, assistant nurse manager, and Michael Anderson, emergency services technician, were working the evening shift at Novant’s Prince William Medical Center when the fi rst meal was delivered in July. PROVIDED

Extension helps farmers get food to the table

Virginia Cooperative Extension agents have long supported the agriculture community by helping producers address whatever issues arise.

Now the organization is continuing that history of helping by creating innovative solutions and digital tools designed to help farmers adapt to the unique agricultural challenges created by COVID-19.

Those issues range from disruptions to their normal markets, labor force, and overall business plan, and the extension is helping by facilitating new connections, providing online tools, and offering online education.

“Farmers who had contracts with restaurants, schools, or universities have had to shift their focus from those institutional market channels to direct-to-consumer sales with online soft ware, drive-through and curbside service, and modifi ed community-supported agriculture models,” said Eric Bendfeldt, Extension specialist and associate director for the Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation. “Virginia food banks and pantries are also reporting a large increase in participation and increasing demand for fresh produce and shelfstable meat sources.”

Extension is working to facilitate coordination among Virginia farmers and help them adapt to new or changing markets.

Extension is also helping farmers by off ering numerous webinar series, covering such topics as farm management during COVID-19, money management, purchasing, yield rates, and more.

A recent webinar covered production strategies, such as optimizing cattle given low market prices. Th ere are minimal costs associated with maintaining a herd – essentially postponing the sale.

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