As Produce for Patriot’s Chief Technology Officer, I traveled to San Diego from my hometown in Northern Kentucky in order to meet the devoted officers, volunteers, and farmers who are working to bring our mission into fruition. During my week-long stay, we accomplished a lot, including filing the paperwork to become a 501(c)3 nonprofit and visiting two of our potential farm affiliates. Visiting local organic farmers that have dedicated their time and resources to help military families was inspiring. As we walked through Seabreeze farm, we sampled cucumbers and beans, plucked straight from the ground. They were delicious and fresh-the perfect produce to be delivered to the families of those who served our country.

The justification and mission for Produce for Patriots can be summed up in one thank-you note that we received from one of our benefiting families.
It read, “Thank you so much for the donated food. We can’t tell you how much of a blessing this is to our family. This month is my son’s birthday. Because of this, I can afford to do a small party and will be able to still eat well the rest of the month. Thank you. Thank you!”. After reading it, Rob turned to me, pointed at it, and said “That’s why we do what we do”. I couldn’t agree more. 

Cat Meadows, CTO

I'm just back from a tour of a local, family owned farm here in San Diego. What a delight! My young daughter and I walked around with the owner, picking off some berries, pulling up a carrot or two, slurping down a tangerine fresh from the tree. Amazing!

Our host said "Let's say hello to the ladies, " and off we went down a little slope and over a bump. There they were; the ladies.

Along with the hens, we came up on a beautiful nubian goat and a sheep. They both rushed to the fence to greet us. Our host pulled a couple of oranges off of a nearby tree and handed them to my daughter...

"Yes!" she said. "Go ahead Abby, they love oranges..."

My daughter looked scared. I held my hand under hers as she offered the orange to the goat who gently nibbled it out of her hand. We all started laughing.

The sheep bleated - "what about me?"

After anther orange, we headed off to pick strawberries, basal and wild mulberries. What a treat. As we headed back to the farmhouse, our host and I started talking.....