Farm Bureau Cook-Off Brings People Together to Help Feed Mississippi
Mississippi farmers work every day to help feed the world, but many families right here at home continue to face food insecurity. That reality was front and center Thursday as Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, Mississippi Farm Bureau Insurance and Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company came together for the second annual Farmers Feeding the Hungry Cook-Off benefiting the Mississippi Food Network.
Hosted through the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation’s Foundation for Agriculture, the cook-off combined friendly competition, fellowship and a shared mission: helping provide meals to children, families and seniors across the state. Farm Bureau agents, employees and supporters from across Mississippi gathered to showcase their cooking skills while raising awareness and support for hunger relief efforts.
“One in five children experience hunger on a weekly basis, and one in eight senior adults,” said Mike McCormick, president of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation. “I don’t know that there’s a better fit for our membership to give back to the state of Mississippi than through something like Farmers Feeding the Hungry. We’re not just here to grow agriculture — we’re here to grow communities.”
McCormick said support from all Farm Bureau companies made the event possible, with enthusiasm for helping Mississippi communities driving participation from the start.
Mississippi Farm Bureau Insurance employees and agents played a major role in the event, bringing teams, volunteers and creative recipes to the competition.
“It’s a great cause, and it’s so much fun getting all these people out here to participate and show what they’ve got,” said Henry Hamil of Mississippi Farm Bureau Insurance. “At the same time, we’re supporting a great cause.”
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company also joined the effort, highlighting how Farm Bureau’s family of companies works together for a greater good.
“It’s such a great opportunity to have four or five hundred people here — agents and folks from all 82 counties,” said David Hurt of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. “Our president’s passion for feeding the hungry and the culture it creates across Farm Bureau is something special.”
While the cook-off featured plenty of competitive spirit, it also emphasized unity. Employees from Federation, Insurance and Life Company offices across the state shared food, stories and laughter while pulling together toward the same goal.
For the Mississippi Food Network, partnerships like this one are essential as demand for food assistance continues to grow.
“Food insecurity rates are continuing to rise, and we cannot respond to the need by ourselves,” said Catherine Montgomery, director at Mississippi Food Network. “It takes the support of corporations, nonprofits and churches across the state to make a true impact, and we’re thankful for Farm Bureau coming alongside us in this work.”
Montgomery noted Farm Bureau’s impact goes far beyond a single event. Over the past year, Farm Bureau volunteers have dedicated more than 200 hours of service at the Food Network, and Farm Bureau organizations have donated more than $1 million over the past two years to support hunger relief efforts statewide.
“That generosity allows us to provide additional meals to families in need right now,” Montgomery said.
For many participants, the cook-off also reflected the family-oriented culture that defines Farm Bureau.
“This is a heck of an introduction,” said Colby Sims, a Lauderdale County Farm Bureau Insurance agent who recently joined the organization. “Everybody seems to be enjoying each other’s company. It’s really cool to be part of a company that has events like this where people can socialize, network and give back.”
As the grills cooled and judges prepared to name winners, the true victory of the day was clear — strengthening communities and helping ensure fewer Mississippians go hungry.
“If you’ve ever been down to the Mississippi Food Network and seen what they’re able to do with the dollars raised, it’s truly amazing,” Hamil said. “This is about pulling on the rope in the same direction and helping Mississippi any way we can.”