Joe Mitcham Sr. planted the first peach tree among the rolling hills northwest of Ruston known as Mitcham Farms in 1947.

Today, Joe Mitcham Jr. operates the 15-acre orchard that produces quality peaches from May to July every year.

The farm has over 1,600 peach trees, a processing shed and a little store that sells gourmet foods, gift products and peach ice cream.

This year, Mitcham Farms had a surplus and donated over 6,100 pounds of fresh peaches to the Food Bank. Those peaches were distributed to children, families and seniors struggling with hunger in Northeast Louisiana.

Although this is the first time Mitcham Farms has partnered with the Food Bank, Joe says he looks forward to working with us again in the future.

“It’s just a good feeling to help people,” said Joe. “I’ve always liked helping people in church, at work and in the community.”

Joe is an active member in the Ruston community and serves as the President of the Lincoln Parish School Board.

“I just like to give back to the community,” Joe said. “The community is what kept us going all these years.”