(RALEIGH) -- A program that unites small North Carolina farmers with people in need of healthy food is receiving almost a half million dollars to boost its efforts.

Farmer Foodshare received the grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation with a long term goal of increasing the overall health of North Carolinians through fresh food.

"We really see it as what is that real win for all, where you have improved community healthy, improved community reliability and improved community sustainability," says Jennifer MacDougall is with the insurance company's Healthy Active Communities Program.

Since its beginning in 2009, the program has provided over 110- thousand pounds of top quality food to agencies to six counties in the central part of the state.