Introduction to Jennifer Garner’s Childhood
Growing up in West Virginia, Jennifer Garner remembers the moment she began to notice the divide: some classmates stayed behind in elementary school while she moved on to the next grade. “I was raised in a middle-class family surrounded by generational rural poverty,” the actor, 53, tells TODAY.com.
Observations of Rural Poverty
It wasn’t until later that she made the connection. Children whose parents were professionals seemed set on one track, while kids from the “hollers,” isolated communities in the state’s mountain valleys, were on another. Unknown to Garner at the time, some of her peers were going to bed hungry, but she didn’t realize it because their bellies appeared full. It was the result of low-quality, processed foods they were eating, which made them puff out even as their bodies lacked proper nutrition.
Importance of Nutrition in Early Life
Not only did Pat and Bill Garner place a strong emphasis on their daughter’s education, but their kitchen was consistently stocked with fresh produce from the family garden and other nourishing ingredients. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that early nutrition is vital for brain development, warning that deficiencies in essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and iodine can have lasting effects on cognition and behavior.
Co-Founding Once Upon a Farm
“We cannot expect kids to go to school and thrive and learn without making sure they have food in their bellies,” Garner says, pointing out that an estimated 17 million U.S. households face hunger. That reality inspired her to co-found Once Upon a Farm, an organic baby food company that partners with Save the Children to bring nutritious meals to children in food-insecure communities across the country.
Achievements of Once Upon a Farm
In 2024, Once Upon a Farm pledged to deliver one million meals by 2025, a goal they recently celebrated achieving. To date, the mission-driven brand has delivered more than 1.3 million meals including 425,000 pouches and contributed $800,00 in donations. Garner’s voice lights up when she talks about Once Upon a Farm, each word infused with energy and enthusiasm. She takes particular pride in the fact that the farm-to-fridge, USDA Certified Organic products are now available through the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program in 19 states.
Personal Fulfillment and Giving Back
For Garner, true fulfillment comes from focusing on others, a message she instills in her children, Violet, 19, Fin, 16, and Samuel, 13. “I always tell my kids if you want to be happy, don’t get caught up in the mirror, don’t worry about aging or acne, don’t fixate on your weight. Look around at your community, your church, your school, and ask, ‘How can I help?’ Then keep that ripple going,” she says. “You need to look out, not in. Find what moves you. There’s so much good work to be done.”
Recent Philanthropic Efforts
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are joining forces to give back. The exes and co-parents reunited in Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood on Thanksgiving to serve meals to the homeless community.
Conclusion
Jennifer Garner’s experiences growing up in West Virginia have shaped her understanding of the importance of nutrition and education in breaking the cycle of poverty. Through her work with Once Upon a Farm and other philanthropic efforts, she is dedicated to making a positive impact on her community and beyond.
FAQs
Q: What inspired Jennifer Garner to co-found Once Upon a Farm?
A: Jennifer Garner was inspired to co-found Once Upon a Farm by the reality of food insecurity in the United States, where an estimated 17 million households face hunger.
Q: What is the mission of Once Upon a Farm?
A: The mission of Once Upon a Farm is to bring nutritious meals to children in food-insecure communities across the country.
Q: How many meals has Once Upon a Farm delivered to date?
A: Once Upon a Farm has delivered more than 1.3 million meals, including 425,000 pouches, and contributed $800,00 in donations.
Q: What message does Jennifer Garner instill in her children?
A: Jennifer Garner instills in her children the importance of focusing on others and giving back to the community, rather than getting caught up in personal concerns.
Q: How can individuals make a positive impact in their community?
A: Individuals can make a positive impact in their community by looking for ways to help, whether through volunteering, donating to charitable causes, or simply being a supportive neighbor and friend.
