Community Farm Connection (CFC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to supporting small farmers and improving consumer access to locally grown food. CFC supports sustainable agriculture, small diversified farms, and local communities by bringing farmers new opportunities to get their bounty to the consumer. Working…
In order to effectively start a gleaning project, a VISTA needs to familiarize themselves with the regional hunger relief agencies and the existing food and distribution systems in the communities served. This was accomplished by conducting a regional food bank survey which included questions addressing the…
Donor Establishment Process The gleaning coordinator identified local farms that might be interested through either prior affiliation or expressed interest by the donor. (a) Often a tri-fold explaining what Community Harvest does along with some frequently asked questions was mailed or emailed to potential donors. (b) When possible, face-to-face contact was made to…
Recruitment There are many ways to help potential volunteers discover the fun and enriching volunteer opportunities available to them. Always start with your organization’s current volunteer base to recruit for a new gleaning program. Let your existing volunteer base know that friends, family, or affiliated…
There are many different ways to engage your community with your organization. Try different tactics to draw people in, because once you do, they will be glad to learn about what you’re doing! Table at popular community events. Make your display vibrant, inviting, educational and…
The Clark County Food Bank gleaning program began in 2012 with the help of 90 enlisted volunteers, 20 growers, 12 donors, and 9 gleaning event hosts. They are always working to expand their farm base in “keeping it local.” Volunteering with a gleaning project is…
There are seven farmer’s markets in Clark County. Currently, there are two produce recovery stations: one at the downtown Vancouver Farmers market and another at the Salmon Creek Farmers Market. Together, these markets have over 300 vendors and attract thousands of patrons every year. This…
https://youtu.be/ddzxgz0fRSE In 1985, the Clark County Food Bank (CCFB) became the primary, countywide nonprofit food distribution organization as the successor 501(c)(3) organization of the Clark County Food Bank Coalition. CCFB is a member of the Oregon Food Bank network and provides bulk food to 34…
During the summers of 2014 and 2015, Clark County Food Bank participated in Harvest Against Hunger’s (formally Rotary First Harvest) Farm to Food Pantry Program, which provided a small grant to purchase produce from local farmers. The grant money served multiple purposes. First, Clark County…
https://youtu.be/uuZIkEHx1OY The Clark County Food Bank exists to “alleviate hunger and its root causes in Clark County, Washington.” Farm and garden projects like the 78th Street Heritage Farm and gleaning programs help to do that by increasing the amount of fresh, nutritious food entering the…