FEED IT ONWARD

 
 

Growing Food. Reducing Waste. Strengthening Our Community.

At A & H Farm, we believe every harvest has value. As farmers, we see firsthand the time, water, labor, and care that go into growing food. That's why we're proud to participate in Feed It Onward, a public education initiative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that encourages reducing food waste, saving money, and strengthening communities through practical action. Participation is voluntary and focuses on education and awareness surrounding food waste reduction.

Whether you're visiting our farm, shopping in our market, or attending one of our seasonal events, you're supporting a farm that is committed to making the most of every harvest.

What Is Feed It Onward?

Feed It Onward is a public education initiative led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program encourages families, businesses, farms, and organizations to reduce food waste by using food wisely, preserving more of what we grow, and finding creative ways to keep wholesome food from going to waste.

At A & H Farm, these values have always been part of how we farm. From harvesting produce at its peak to educating visitors about where their food comes from, we're committed to helping build a more sustainable food system.

How A & H Farm Puts Feed It Onward Into Action

🌽 Harvesting at Peak Freshness

Freshness matters.

Whenever possible, we harvest fruits and vegetables at their peak and offer them directly through our farm market. Harvesting at the right time means better flavor, higher quality, and less food waste.

Our goal is simple: get fresh food from the field to your table as quickly as possible.

🥧 Giving Produce a Second Life

Not every fruit or vegetable is grocery-store perfect—but that doesn't mean it isn't delicious.

Throughout the season, our bakery and kitchen transform fresh produce into handcrafted products including:

  • Homemade pies

  • Cobblers

  • Cookies

  • Sweet breads

  • Jams & jellies

  • Salsa

  • Pico de gallo

  • Pickles

  • Other seasonal specialties

By creating value-added products, we're able to utilize more of each harvest while providing customers with unique farm-made favorites.

🤝 Supporting Our Community

Growing food is only part of our mission—we also believe in helping ensure fresh, nutritious food reaches our community.

Throughout the season, A & H Farm provides fresh produce to local organizations that help fight food insecurity, including:

  • Common Table

  • Cat's Cupboard at Kansas State University

  • Flint Hills Breadbasket

During peak harvest season, we also deliver fresh produce to Harvesters – The Community Food Network, helping distribute healthy fruits and vegetables through its network of partner agencies across Kansas and western Missouri.

We are also proud to partner with the Food and Farm Council of Manhattan and Riley County (Nourish Together), working alongside local farmers, educators, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders to strengthen our local food system, improve access to healthy food, and support agricultural education.

Learn more about their work at www.nourishtogether.org.

By working with local food pantries, community organizations, and regional food banks, we're able to help more fresh produce reach families while reducing food waste and making the most of every harvest.

🥒 Preserving the Harvest

One of the best ways to reduce food waste is by preserving seasonal produce.

Throughout the year we create shelf-stable products including:

  • Pickles

  • Relishes

  • Salsa

  • Jams

  • Jellies

  • Fruit butters

  • Other canned specialties

Preserving food allows families to enjoy seasonal flavors year-round while making the most of abundant harvests.

🐐 Feeding Our Farm Animals

Some fruits and vegetables may no longer be suitable for retail sale but are still safe and nutritious.

Whenever appropriate, those products help feed many of the animals that call A & H Farm home, including our goats, donkeys, ponies, and other farm animals.

This helps ensure food continues to provide value rather than becoming waste.

🌱 Composting & Soil Health

When produce and plant material can no longer be used for people or animals, we compost whenever practical.

Returning nutrients back to the soil helps improve future crops and supports healthier farmland for years to come.

👨‍🌾 Educating the Next Generation

Education is one of the most important parts of our mission.

Each year, thousands of visitors come to A & H Farm to learn about agriculture through hands-on experiences.

Guests can:

  • See where food comes from

  • Learn how fruits and vegetables are grown

  • Pick their own seasonal produce

  • Visit our farm animals

  • Experience life on a working farm

  • Discover why fresh food is seasonal

  • Learn that "imperfect" produce is often just as nutritious and delicious

By helping families better understand agriculture, we hope to inspire smarter food choices and a greater appreciation for the farmers who grow our food.

How You Can Help Reduce Food Waste

Every family can make a difference.

Here are a few simple ways you can help:

✔ Buy only what you need

✔ Freeze extra fruits and vegetables

✔ Preserve seasonal produce

✔ Plan meals before shopping

✔ Enjoy "imperfect" fruits and vegetables

✔ Compost food scraps whenever possible

✔ Support local farmers and food producers

Small changes at home can make a big impact on your wallet, your community, and our environment.

Thank You

Thank you for supporting A & H Farm and joining us in our commitment to reducing food waste, supporting our community, and helping connect people with the food they eat.

Together, we can make the most of every harvest.