Community Foods OrganizingBuilding Rural Communities

and Food Systems

Sharon Thornberry, Oregon Food BankSpencer Masterson, Ten Rivers Food WebKristin Frost-Albrecht, North Coast Food Web

We envision communities across Oregon and SW Washington where citizens are empowered and actively engaged across sectors to attain

personal and community food security.

What is Community Foods Organizing?

Community Foods Organizing is the process of bringing together a variety of stakeholders to

reshape a local food system that is more responsive to the needs and assets of a

community. The goal of that organizing will promote a healthier community; respect, promote and celebrate the culture of that community as well as seek to improve its

economic well being.

Three approaches

• Community FEAST • RARE Assessment &

Organizing Project• Food Systems Networking

Food EducationAgricultureSolutionsTogether

Community members tell the story of their local food system.

Participants are introduced to Community Food Systems Organizing and Language

Priorities are identified

Participants get resources and tools to inform their plan.

An Organizing Plan is created to address the priorities

IMPACTAttendees include:Community MemberEmergency Food PantryFarmer/ProducerFood RetailerElected OfficialHealth Care ProviderGleaner/Food rescueFarmers MarketGardenerOSU Extensions Farm-SchoolEconomic DevelopmentNutrition EducationPublic HealthFood ProcessorNonprofitFaith-Based Organization

• New Farm-to-school partnerships

• WIC and Senior Farm Direct Checks and WIC Fruit and Veggie Vouchers are accepted at more farmers markets.

• Farmers and Grocers in Grant County are forging a long term marketing relationship

• Food systems coalitions have been established

• Food donors are partnering with emergency food providers

• Increased media coverage

• Lunch!

OFB-RARE Assessment & Organizing

• Community food assessments

• Coordination and facilitation of community food system organizing events

• Rural grocery store surveys• Local food resource guides• Food literacy

Harney Malheur

Klamath Lake

Grant

Wheeler

Umatilla

MorrowGilliamSherman

Wasco

HoodRiver

LinnLincoln

Clatsop

Wallowa

Lane

Columbia

Josephine

IMPACT • 7 community food assessments completed – covering 16 counties

• More than 300 producers, processors and farmers identified and engaged

• 7 local food resource guides published

• 3 new Farmers’ Markets and increased WIC/SNAP accessibility at 4 additional markets

• Nutrition education classes started

• Social media tools active in community organizing.

• Intentional, regular donations to food pantries

• Increased community engagement

Regional Food System Organizing• Tri-County Organization

• Active Board

• Working Committees

Low-Income Access

Food Literacy

Growers Network

• Community Food Organizers

• Chapters

Countywide or Smaller

Board Presence

Grassroots Efforts

Rural Organizing Considerations • Distance

Alternate meeting locations

Meeting frequency

Community working groups

• Meeting Format

Informal vs. Formal

Potluck

• Action Motivated

Identify community needs

Start with a task

Ex. Food Day Food Fair

• Alternative Engagement

Volunteer Opportunities

Email/Phone/Skype

• Community Foods Organizing (CFO) always highlights a community’s resources and assets as well as its needs.

• The act of doing an assessment is an organizing tool.• CFO must include the grassroots of a community.• CFO is done with communities, not to them.• It’s about the conversation!• This is both short-term and long-term work. Results may

not be instant.

Key Things to Remember when doing Community Foods Organizing:

Food Systems Networking

• Food for Oregon website• Social Media- Facebook & Twitter• Technical assistance to CFS Organizations • Convening partners & players• Playing a leading role in local food

movements

Resources

• Food for Oregon website: http://foodfororegon.oregonstate.edu/

• FEAST Planning Manual: http://oregonfoodbank.org/feast

• Assessment Reports and Local Food Guides: http://oregonfoodbank.org/cfs

Contact InformationSharon ThornberryCommunity Food Systems ManagerOregon Food Banksthornberry@oregonfoodbank.org 503-703-2198

Spencer MastersonCommunity Food OrganizerTen Rivers Food Webspencer@tenriversfoodweb.org 541-602-7279

Connect With Us on Social Media!

http://www.facebook.com/oregonfoodbankcfs

https://twitter.com/#!/OFB_SharonT

http://tenriversfoodweb.org/home/feed/