Community Foods Organizing Building Rural Communities and Food Systems Sharon Thornberry, Oregon Food Bank Spencer Masterson, Ten Rivers Food Web Kristin 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 Education Agriculture Solutions Together

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

IMPACT Attendees include: Community Member Emergency Food Pantry Farmer/Producer Food Retailer Elected Official Health Care Provider Gleaner/Food rescue Farmers Market Gardener OSU Extensions Farm-School Economic Development Nutrition Education Public Health Food Processor Nonprofit Faith-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 Morrow Gilliam Sherman Wasco Hood River Linn Lincoln 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  /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: FEAST Planning Manual: Assessment Reports and Local Food Guides:

Contact Information Sharon Thornberry Community Food Systems Manager Oregon Food Bank g Spencer Masterson Community Food Organizer Ten Rivers Food Web Connect With Us on Social Media! nfoodbankcfs onT e/feed/