Farm Wagon with National Guard and Volunteers

Farm Wagon

The Farm Wagon mobile pantry distributes fresh produce, dairy, and other food items to low-income rural and urban areas where people do not have affordable access to fresh foods. Individuals and families are able to enjoy fresh foods with high nutritional value. All individuals in need are welcome to attend.

As of October, 2024, in order to better serve our community, we have added TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) food product to our farm wagons, which is supplied by the government. To abide by the government’s rules and regulations, recipients of TEFAP product must fill out an Aggregate Eligibility Form (name, address, and household size). This information will not be shared or publicized and is kept in a secure confidential location. If recipients do not wish to fill out the form, they may refuse both the form and the product and only receive the standard donated food items.

Initiated in 1999, Farm Wagon provides food to families in all nine counties of our service area: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley. Partner sites agree to host our Farm Wagon trucks on certain days and times. These distributions served the public through a walk-up model until 2020 when they were transformed into drive-through distributions for the health and safety of everyone during COVID-19. Product at these distributions vary from week to week and CHFB does not have knowledge of which products will be distributed in advance.

Our Farm Wagon and Saturday Distributions
Farm Wagon and Saturday Helping Hands FAQ

We sure do! Please click HERE to access our printable schedule with a map included.

Spanish HERE

Burmese HERE

The recent addition of TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) food product from the government does require recipients to fill out an Aggregate Eligibility Form (name, address, household size) at these distributions to receive the TEFAP additional food items, but if recipients don’t wish to fill out the form, they may refuse both the form and the product and only receive the standard donated food items.

You should arrive at least 15 minutes early for a distribution. Farm Wagon distributions generally last for about one hour and the distribution is first come, first serve.

Though we have moved distributions to drive through for safety reasons, we know that not everyone is able to drive themselves to the distribution. If you arrive by bus or walk to the site, you will still receive service.

At our public distributions, we provide boxes of food meant to serve one household. We can provide a maximum of 2 households of food to one vehicle, as long as both adults are present.

We can deposit food into your trunk or backseat, as long as these are accessible. When you arrive at the distribution area, unlock your door or open your trunk and let the staff or volunteer member know where you would like your food to go.

Farm Wagons may be canceled if they fall on a food bank observed holiday. Aside from that we try to make every trip, there are times when we are forced to cancel the distribution. For the safety of guests, volunteers, and staff, we will cancel the Farm Wagon if the temperature or wind chill is below 0 degrees, or if snow has caused hazardous road conditions. Any canceled Farm Wagon will be listed on our website, social media, and local news outlets. If you are not sure if a Farm Wagon will run, you may also call (260) 447-3696.

If you have any other questions about the Farm Wagon program, please call (260) 447-3696 and we would be happy to answer your questions.

Funding for our Farm Wagon program is thanks in part to partnerships with: