For the millions of people who lost their jobs this year and who saw a drastic decline in their income over the last several months, it has meant trying to find other places to get their needs met.

This might have meant having to turn to the local food bank for some help.

It is a reality that millions are facing, as food banks around the United States and in other countries have struggled to try and meet that drastic increase in demand for goods.

Along with many restaurants closing around the country, it also left farmers with a surplus of goods that they needed to get rid of.

Some of those farmers were practically giving away their milk and potatoes for free because they just couldn't find a way to sell them as they usually would.

This has prompted the introduction of programs like the Farmers to Families program that has been helping thousands in Vermont be able to get their food from local farmers.

You can find similar programs in other regions that are also helping to connect the two.

For Vermont, the program is the result of a partnership between the state, along with the Vermont Foodbank. Together they have worked to give out thousands of boxes of food and they are also helping local farmers as well to continue doing what they do best, which is feeding their communities.

Thanks to the growing interest in convenience and need for fresh, local products etc, you can find a wide range of subscription box services that will deliver everything from organic produce to grass-fed beef and more.

A more diversified food market is better than one with fewer options to choose from.

When there are multiple ways to find sustainable, fresh, quality food, right where you are, then you are less likely to be impacted by things going wrong that might unexpectedly bring your options to zero as some experienced during the COVID-19 situation over March and April etc.

This doesn't mean that those smaller producers though are not immune to their own problems or inefficiencies.

Despite what difficulties might be presented in the future, it is better to have freedom in the food market, as it is in any market. From food truck to food store, to selling jam out of your own home, the freedom of people to produce and provide for themselves should always be respected. Just as their freedom to choose should also be respected.

Food banks around the country are still working hard to keep up with donations and if you had been thinking about giving to any now would be as good a time as any. It is thanks to their work that we can pay those good actions forward to try and help others who are less fortunate right now and they need all of the help that they can get.

Pics: pixabay