Written by: Madison Filson
August 2026
As August unfolded, Windy Hill’s Resident Services team continued its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities that promote health, nutrition, and community engagement among residents. This summer, Windy Hill was grateful to continue its longstanding partnership with Bainum Foundation Farm while also beginning a new partnership with the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), both of which helped provide fresh produce and vegetables to residents at no cost. These partnerships created a wonderful opportunity to increase access to nutritious foods while bringing together local farms, community partners, volunteers, and Resident Services staff to support the health and well-being of our residents.
Throughout the summer harvest season, produce distributions took place weekly for more than 30 participating households across our communities in Middleburg, The Plains, and Marshall, Virginia. Fresh produce was received from our local farm partners and then separated into individual bags for each participating household. Windy Hill volunteers, along with volunteers from community partners such as Upperville United Methodist Church (UMC), generously gave their time to help sort and package the produce. The Resident Services team also provided recipes featuring the available produce, giving residents ideas for preparing healthy meals and making the most of the fresh produce they received. The program created a meaningful connection between local agriculture and our residents while showing the direct impact that community partnerships and volunteers can have on improving access to nutritious food.
For several years, Bainum Foundation Farm has been a valued partner in helping Windy Hill provide fresh produce to residents, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity and support they provide to our community. This summer, we were also excited to begin a new partnership with the Piedmont Environmental Council, whose work to protect Virginia’s farmland and build stronger, more sustainable communities aligns with Windy Hill’s commitment to supporting resident health and well-being. The impact of these partnerships was felt directly by residents. One resident from The Plains shared her appreciation by saying, “Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers! You are amazing!” A senior resident at our Washburn property in Marshall also expressed her gratitude for the program, saying, “Thank you so much for all the good and hard work you all do, it is so kind that farms have shared this amazing produce with us and you all should be recognized for how great it is!” Their kind words capture the appreciation residents have for the fresh food, care, and community support made possible through the program.
Together, our partnerships with Bainum Foundation Farm and Piedmont Environmental Council highlight Windy Hill’s continued dedication to enhancing residents’ quality of life by creating opportunities for greater access to fresh, nutritious food. By bringing local farms, volunteers, community partners, and Resident Services together, the summer produce program provides more than 30 households with healthy food while strengthening the connections that make our communities thrive.
A special thank you to Bainum Foundation Farm for their continued partnership and generosity, and to the Piedmont Environmental Council for helping us begin this new partnership and expand access to fresh produce for our residents. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to UMC and our Windy Hill Foundation volunteers who gave their time each week to help prepare the produce bags. Their support helped make the summer harvest season a meaningful success and a wonderful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together to nourish and support one another.
