Mid-Buchanan FFA Chapter helps pack over 252K meals at State Fair

SEDALIA, Mo. (KQTV) -- Members of the Mid-Buchanan Future Farmers of America Chapter helped pack meals to feed kids in honor of America's 250th Anniversary.

The group joined more than 782 other FFA members from 95 Missouri FFA Chapters and agricultural leaders to pack meals.

The Missouri FFA Day of Service spanned from Monday, Aug. 17, to Tuesday, Aug, 18, at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, Missouri.

Members packed 252,564 meals to feed food-insecure Missouri families.

The 2026 event is a celebration for Missouri FFA, marking the organization's 10th annual Day of Service.

Support from ADM, Brownfield Ag News, Missouri Farmers Care and partners across the state sustains the Drive in an annual, year-round effort to stand in the gap for one in five Missouri children facing food insecurity.

“Reaching 250,000 meals is an incredible way to celebrate 10 years of Missouri FFA’s Day of Service,” says Ashley McCarty, executive director of Missouri Farmers Care Foundation. “For a decade, FFA members have modeled ‘living to serve’, turning one day of action into a lasting impact for Missouri families. This year’s effort is especially meaningful as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and see the next generation of agricultural leaders put service into action. We are grateful to the students, volunteers and partners across Missouri agriculture who continue to make this tradition possible.”

The Drive ended Saturday, Aug. 22, with an announcement of the 825,196 total meals Missouri agriculture provided to Feeding Missouri food banks during the 2026 Drive.

The meals were distributed through Feeding Missouri to the state’s six regional food banks and which serve more than 1,500 food pantries.

In addition to the meal packing event, non-perishable and monetary donations collected on $2 Tuesday equaled nearly 56,000 meals donated by fairgoers.

Through the Drive’s Hogs for Hunger initiative, 4-H and FFA members committed 50 pigs, which will provide over 36,000 servings of high-protein pork to regional food banks.

“Living to Serve, as stated in the FFA motto, is truly embodied by FFA members during the Food Insecurity Day at the Missouri State Fair,” shares Allyson Burns, 2026-27 Missouri FFA State Vice

President. “This event allows ag industry leaders and FFA members to make a difference in their local communities.”