Oregon Food Bank: Ending Hunger for Good

At Oregon Food Bank we know that hunger is more than just the result of not having enough food; it’s a symptom of deeply-rooted inequities in our community—a consequence of the disparate distribution of income, power, and represented voice that most often leaves behind Black, Indigenous, and people of color; immigrants and refugees; and transgender and gender nonconforming folks. We are working to challenge these disparities head on with innovative programs that elevate the leadership of those most impacted by hunger and lead to real, long term systems change.

Our Pathways to Farming is a farm incubator program supporting beginning Black, Indigenous and people of color, and LGBTQAI2+ Farmers in the development of their farming, programming, and business ventures. Pathways to Farming strives to address the economic hardships that serve as a barrier to farmers of color securing the training, relationships, and investment capital needed to fully participate in the agricultural economy. It focuses on building BIPOC capacity and leadership in the food system while building bridges with the broader community and engaging in the farm space. 

Current activities include (1) supporting and collaborating with other BIPOC farmers, producers, and community members; (2) distributing food to priority constituencies; (3) peer to peer learning on the farms; (4) technical assistance, mentorship, and coaching from OFB staff and partners; (5) workshops and skillshares; (6) land access; (7) financial support; and (8) accessing wrap-around services such as rental assistance, food assistance and mental health resources. 

Over the past 3 years, we have assisted in the growth of 21 farmers – of that, 15 farm businesses have been developed. In the current fiscal year, PTF supports 10 Farmers, 3 of whom have participated in the program since its inception in 2018. Focusing on the long term support of the PTF cohort through this program means that the impact of their work is felt throughout the community on a much larger scale. Not only are farmers gaining valuable skills/resources to achieve long term economic success, but the communities they represent gain access to culturally relevant foods, relationship building, and strength in the agricultural community. 

"It’s a privilege for us to come here…to be able to grow your own food, it reminds you of your ancestors” -Ner Moo, Oregon Food Bank Ambassador

Links:

• Check out Pathways to Farming on our website

At Oregon Food Bank, we know that hunger isn’t primarily the result of personal choices. It’s caused by barriers to employment, education, housing, healthcare and more — and the unfair systems that keep them in place. That’s why we work systemically in our mission to end hunger in Oregon: increasing food security in the short- and long-term, fighting for racial and gender justice; and supporting community-led advocacy to influence decision-making at all levels of government. 

Strengthening Community Connections 

To connect our neighbors to healthy, nutritious food, OFB is piloting innovative strategies and partnerships that create new pathways to local, community-based food access points. Our strategies include distribution of grocery gift cards; SNAP Outreach; mobile food distributions, school pantries, healthcare partnerships, and Double Up Food Bucks -- which maximize SNAP benefits at local grocery stores and farmers markets. These strategies are helping OFB increase food security through investment in community purchasing power, while supporting local vendors and producers  - especially BIack, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) vendors. Last year, distributions in OFB’s direct service area alone provided food to an estimated 300,000 children across our School Pantry Programs and delivered approximately 2.2 million meals through Free Food Markets.

Just, Equitable, Sustainable Food Systems

Your support helps immigrant and BIPOC communities organize for policy change, grow culturally specific food, expand food and build equitable pathways to farming through culturally competent farming programs and small business development services. For example, OFB Ambassadors create culturally specific projects that aim to improve their communities' access to food security resources, address root causes of hunger, and create engagement opportunities for a more inclusive democracy. Ambassadors distributed $12,000 worth of grocery store gift cards to their constituents during the pandemic, allowing people to purchase specific and needed items without having to navigate the pantry system.

Expanding Community Power 

People who have experienced hunger are the experts on hunger—and they must be the project planners, advocates, community organizers, food bank and agency staff, and volunteers moving this work forward. Your gift helps OFB organize our community around the common cause of ending hunger through programs like Food, Education and Agriculture to work toward Solutions Together (FEAST); Policy Leadership Council; and through our Ambassador Program. These programs support BIPOC community leaders to design and implement culturally specific strategies to address food insecurity in their communities. For the first time in the 12 year history of FEAST, held 11 virtual FEAST conversations across the state, with nearly 250 participants total.

Equally as important, we are building an organization that reflects the society we’re working toward. “It’s very important to have an organization that believes in those values, '' says OFB colleague Darwin Robins. “If we address homelessness...address what the root problem is, and come up with solutions. That’s why I work here —because we’re addressing these as best we can.”

Links:

• Link to Food Matters! Quarterly OFB Newsletter