Nacogdoches Nonprofit Turns Vegetable Scraps Into Community Meals

Stone Soup Nacogdoches collects donated produce to make free, homemade soup for locals facing food insecurity.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:06am

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An abstract, dreamy photograph in muted tones of earth and fire, depicting the blurred silhouettes of people gathered around a large pot, the steam rising in hazy tendrils, conveying a sense of community and warmth.Stone Soup Nacogdoches' monthly community soup days bring neighbors together over nourishing, sustainably-sourced meals.Nacogdoches Today

In Nacogdoches, Texas, a nonprofit called Stone Soup Nacogdoches is collecting donated vegetable scraps from community members and using them to cook and distribute free, homemade soup to anyone in need across the city. Founded by Heather Patterson, the organization aims to address food insecurity in a sustainable, community-driven way.

Why it matters

Nacogdoches County is the 14th poorest county in Texas, and local food pantries report feeding up to 550 families per week. Stone Soup provides an accessible, judgment-free way for residents to access nutritious meals, bridging a gap that traditional food assistance programs may miss.

The details

Stone Soup Nacogdoches asks community members to save their vegetable scraps - things like carrot peels, onion ends, and other produce trimmings - and donate them to the nonprofit. Heather Patterson then uses these donated ingredients to cook large batches of homemade soup, which are distributed for free at monthly "soup days" or delivered to households in need. The organization partners with Lone Star Legal Aid to also connect attendees with government support services.

  • Stone Soup Nacogdoches holds in-person soup grab-and-go events every third Wednesday of the month.
  • The organization also does soup deliveries the Sundays before their monthly soup days.

The players

Heather Patterson

The founder of Stone Soup Nacogdoches, who uses donated vegetable scraps to cook and distribute free, homemade soup to the community.

Nacogdoches HOPE Food Pantry

A local food pantry that reports feeding up to 550 families per week in Nacogdoches County, the 14th poorest county in Texas.

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What they’re saying

“The 'why' of it is completely irrelevant to the fact that you're hungry. For us at Stone Soup, if you're hungry you have a place at the table.”

— Heather Patterson, Founder, Stone Soup Nacogdoches

“You shouldn't be denied food because you didn't check the right box on a form, or because you didn't have enough people in your house to qualify.”

— Heather Patterson, Founder, Stone Soup Nacogdoches

What’s next

Stone Soup Nacogdoches is always looking for more community members to donate vegetable scraps or volunteer their time. Those interested in getting involved or receiving soup can reach out to the organization directly.

The takeaway

By repurposing food waste into nutritious meals, Stone Soup Nacogdoches is providing an innovative, sustainable solution to address food insecurity in Nacogdoches. The organization's community-driven model demonstrates how neighbors can come together to support one another and ensure no one goes hungry.