Hunger is a problem in our community. It is all around us, it is far reaching and it is complex. A recent USDA survey revealed that Oregon has the 2nd highest hunger rates in the country.
| “I felt special that I could have fresh food. When I was down on my luck, it helped me through the hard times.”— Womenspace participant who received a weekly share of in season produce from Winter Green Community Farm |
Our community needs to respond to this crisis. Of particular concern is the quality of food available to families receiving assistance. Often they must depend on canned or dried products. Emergency providers usually have to distribute food that nobody else wants or can use.
A core value of Winter Green Farm is to supply fresh quality organic produce to those who otherwise cannot afford it. Everyone should have access to good healthy food. Here in Lane County, Oregon, our farm has worked on this vital need through our Community Farm in a variety of ways.
• Direct Financial Assistance
Any individual on food stamps or whose children are eligible for free school lunches qualifies for a discount on the price of a Community Farm share. This is paid for by a small portion of each paid membership being allocated into this fund and by other direct donations. We have very limited funds, so we must operate on a first come, first served basis until the funds are gone.
• Food For Lane County (FFLC) is the local provider for our area’s food pantries and other emergency food providers.
Through tax deductible donations from our membership and others, Winter Green Farm works with FOOD for Lane County in three ways to help supply families with farm fresh, organically grown vegetables.
1. Beginning in 1996, Winter Green Community Farm joined with FFLC to provide Community Farm Harvest Shares to families in the Womenspace Transitional Program. This program was developed to help women who have left abusive situations achieve personal goals related to the economic and emotional stability of themselves and their children. Community Farm Harvest Shares allowed these families through food, newsletters, and on-farm events to connect with the land that nourishes them.
| “The produce contributed by Winter Green Farm's Community Supported Agriculture program makes a tremendous difference in the lives of many clients in our transitional program.” —Barbara Longo, Womenspace Transitional Program director |
2. We also supply bulk produce for distribution by FFLC through their warehouse in Eugene. When we have extra produce which is over and above what our members can use or that we have grown for other markets, we deliver it to FFLC.
3. When members are on vacation and can’t pick up their weekly box they can choose to donate it to FFLC. The vacation boxes provide a tax deductible contribution to the member and the produce is put to good use.
To find out more about this important organization go to www.foodforlanecounty.org .
• Faith Based Support
Since 2003, several local churches have fundraised within their congregations to fund reduced cost memberships in our Community Farm. These memberships were given to people in our community who otherwise could not afford them. We are very grateful to the First United Methodist Church in Eugene and many others for their support. If you are interested in having your congregation participate in a similar program, please contact us.
• Assistance
If you would like to join our Community Farm but need some help to make it work, please get in touch with us. As outlined above, there are several ways which we may be able to help. All assistance is given on a first come, first served basis.
• Support
Providing healthy food for all members of our community will take all of us working together. Please stop to think about hunger and quality local food in our community and ask yourself if you can help. Every donation, large or small, of cash or time makes a difference; you can make that difference. Volunteers are always needed to spread the word to their family and friends, to organize an informational event at their house of worship, or to even help deliver produce boxes to seniors. Thank you.
To make a tax deductible contribution:
Write a check to: FOOD for Lane County
Send it to: Winter Green Farm
89762 Poodle Creek Rd
Noti, Oregon 97461
To make a non tax deductible contribution:
Write a check to: Winter Green Farm
Send it to: The address above
For more information call Winter Green Farm, (541) 935-1920
email: folks@wintergreenfarm.com
copyright© 1999-2006 Winter Green Farm. All rights reserved.
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