Access to healthy food, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, is one of the largest barriers to health for underserved communities. Overflow Farms, a nonprofit farm that donates everything they grow to people in need, is tackling this problem at the root – literally.

“We noticed there was a need in the city (of Riverside),” said Fred Stover, president of Overflow Farms. “Most food banks just had rice, beans, pasta – and very few vegetables besides canned goods.”

With access to orange groves, grapefruit groves, and lemons groves, Stover gathered a group of friends and volunteers, and began picking and distributing fresh produce to 20-30 food banks every week. It was very much a grassroots effort.

Then, COVID-19 hit.

Although their regular distribution centers shut down, the Overflow Farms team didn’t give up. This dedication and ongoing collaborative problem-solving resulted in Overflow Farms receiving the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) 2023 Vibrant Health Award, which “honors a provider, entity, or community partner that helps reduce the social determinants of ill health by supporting core needs such as food, shelter and safety, ensuring the equitability of health and well-being.”

While delivering to La Sierra University Church food bank, Overflow Farms representatives connected with IEHP.

“IEHP was there volunteering with a bunch of other people, and we just joined right in and started our partnership from there,” Stover said.

Like a thriving crop, the efforts blossomed to hundreds of partnerships and Overflow Farms receiving the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) 2023 Vibrant Health Award, which “honors a provider, entity, or community partner that helps reduce the social determinants of ill health by supporting core needs such as food, shelter and safety, ensuring the equitability of health and well-being.”

Overflow Farms now distributes to 30-40 food banks, getting fresh produce into the homes of approximately 10,000 families every week, including 2,500 who turn up weekly at the Overflow Farms parking lot for free produce, according to Stover.

“We believe the more people involved, the more things that can be done,” he said. “The more partnerships, the better – the farm is open to everybody.”