Personality: Sharon Parham Blount

from Richmond Free Press April 13-15, 2023 edition

Squirrels feast on ‘M&Ms’

Spotlight on Shalom Farms board chair

their approach to this issue according to Mrs. Blount. This shift includes moving away from the idea of “food deserts” toward “food apartheid,” emphasizing the nature of this problem as man-made and systemic, rather than a natural occurrence.

Mrs. Blount and Shalom Farms’ current work fits in well with this moment, as the organization’s work shifts more toward racial equity. She currently chairs the nonprofit’s Racial Equity Committee. The nonprofit also is moving forward on a new, threeyear strategic plan centered on racial equity.

“As we look to the future, we want to do more than just be an input that is part of an unjust system,” Mrs. Blount says. “Rather, we want to collaborate with others, sharing our resources, to create a new and better food system together.”

“In all of this work we continually ask ourselves if what we are doing best serves and honors the communities for whom and with

Shalom Farms.

Occupation: Retired.

Date and place of birth: Oct. 6 in Greenwood, Miss. Where I live now: Richmond’s North Side.

Education: Hampton University, and MBA, Old Dominion University.

Family:

Joshua Blount, son, Kaylin Blount, daughter. Shalom Farms is: farm and food justice organiza tion working for an equitable food system in Richmond. Each year, we grow and distribute more than 200,000 pounds of certified naturally grown produce through our network of community part ners and our own innovative food access and education programs, including our Mobile Market and Community Food Skills Educa tion Classes.

Why the name: Hebrew word often translated as “peace.” However, its meaning goes beyond just the absence of violence or oppression, to suggest the active presence of health and happiness, and an understand ing that this wholeness and well-being belongs to everyone. Number one goal or project as board chair: I am excited about our organization’s desire to look at everything we do through a racial equity lens. This is a bold and challenging concept, and I am enjoying working with the board and staff to see how we might grow and change through this process.

Shalom Farms, Black and Brown Richmonders and food injustice: Everyone deserves access to good food. Food that is good for their bodies, their families, their community and the environment. Unjust and uncaring systems create barriers to persons and their families inaccessing food, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities in our region. This is not OK. We envision a food system that is rooted through our innovative and collaborative food access and education programs, which include our Mobile Market, Community Food Skills Education Classes, Produce Rx, and Nutrition Distribution Program. All of our produce is distributed at low-to-no cost directly to individuals and through collaborative partnerships with community organizations doing complimentary work here in Richmond.

What Shalom Farms grows and distributes: We grow and distribute more than 25 different kinds of vegetables, including: collards, broccoli, cabbage, kale, onions, strawberries, cucumbers, eggplant, bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, spinach and herbs such as basil, cilantro, and parsley.

Where Shalom Farms distributes its harvest: Our Mobile Market Distributes produce throughout the Northside, South Side, and East End of the city. Mobile Market locations include Highland Park Senior Apartments, Mosby Court, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Stonewall Senior Apartments, the Sarah Garland Jones Center, the Boys & Girls Club Teen Center, Broad Rock Elementary School, Southside Plaza, and others. Our Nutrition Distribution Program partners with food pantries and feeding programs across the city, including Feed More, St. Thomas’ Food Pantry, Nationz Foundation, MAD RVA/RVA Community Fridges, Underground Kitchen: Community First, MARCH Food Pantry, Belmont Food Pantry, Shalom Farms on wheels: launched in 2016, our Mobile Market offers consistent access to fresh food in neighborhoods across Richmond where physi cal and economic barriers are prevalent. The Market provides a dollar-for-dollar match on SNAP purchases and sells produce at a significantly discounted price: $3 of produce at the market would cost about $12 at farmers markets and grocery stores.

Upcoming events: Savor Shalom on May 6 at the Powhatan Farm. Our annual on-farm gala returns for the first time since 2019. Guests will enjoy creative dishes featuring Shalom Farms produce, a silent auction, live music and more! Funds raised will support our food access, education, and advocacy work.

How I start the day: With gratitude for all that I have been given and go from there. Thethreewordsthatbestdescribe me: Kind, supportive, capable. Best late-night snack: Rarely eat late-night snacks.

How I unwind: Love to walk, read, watch movies and spend time with friends.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I love a good romance! Can always count on a happy ending!

A quote that inspires me: “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”

—Unknown

At the top of my “to-do” list:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Sen. Charles S. Robb

COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT AWARD

Drive-To-Work

HILL - ROBINSON EXPANSION OF FREEDOM AWARD

John V. Moeser, Ph.D., (honored posthumously)

INNOVATION IN GOVERNMENT AWARD

Henrico County Public Library’s Fair eld Area Library