Healthy Food Access
The COFPC is involved in a collaborative process with Central Oregon organizations to provide locally produced fresh food to low-income individuals. The Food Access Committee supports work on local policy, systemic and environmental change solutions that increase access to affordable, health food for low-income populations. Our team combines the seasoned knowledge of individuals from local food service agencies, hospitals, and community members. We know we are not the only folks working on this movement, but we know together we can do more for our community
Our Goals
- To develop a united collaboration to fight for access to all members of our communities to fresh, local food.
- To annually participate in Project Connect (see below)
- Provide information about where to access local food: Community Gardens, Emergency Food & Shelter and Food Distributors
Contact: Tami Geiger
Accomplishments
Project Connect – Annual Event
On September 24th, 2011, the FPC participated in Project Connect at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. With support from the Hunger Prevention Coalition, and a grant from Les Schwab, we provided 225-250 families and 200 individuals bags of (free) fresh fruit and vegetables which included: 5 potatoes, 5 peaches/apples, corn or applies and 4 other items as desired.
We also provided information on how to use SNAP benefits to buy fresh food at local farmers’ markets, common misconceptions about using SNAP and what foods are eligible for purchase. OSU Extension Service provided corresponding recipes using the food that was donated to the participants.
In addition, Kim Kambak of The Last Stand Farm brought her hens to the event withinformation about raising hens in our backyards.
The event was a fabulous way for us to get involved in the community. We felt blessed being able to hand out food and provide information to residents about resources.
Our volunteer, Katie McClure summed it up well, “ProjectConnect was AMAZING. The booth was a madhouse, so many people didn’t know they could use SNAP at farmer’s markets, so many people loved the fresh food, awesome to see so many walking around eating fresh peaches with smiles on their faces”!
Thanks to all our volunteers and sponsors:
Hunger Prevention Coalition
Les Schwab
Central Oregon Locavore Online Farmers Market
Sysco
Newport Market
