Advancing Food Access Through Connection and Insight
April 22, 2026
Abigail’s summit experience turned cold data into urgent human stories, deepening her commitment to advancing equitable food access across Washington.
Stories from Harvest VISTA
Reflecting on My AmeriCorps VISTA Year at FISH Food Bank
April 22, 2026
In one year, Grace recovered 7,600+ pounds of fresh food for FISH Food Bank through gleaning, grocery rescue, and new community partnerships.
Growing Connections at the Washington Gleaners’ Conference
April 22, 2026
From statewide conferences to a living toolkit, Jen’s work connects Washington’s 40+ gleaning organizations to share knowledge and fight hunger.
Radically Imagining a Food Secure, Waste-Free Washington (and World)
April 21, 2026
Reducing food waste and food insecurity through gleaning, redistribution partnerships, and radically reimagining local food systems in King County.
Building the Ship as I Sail
April 21, 2026
With only four hours of overlap, one VISTA built a comprehensive guidebook to set every future member up for success.
Mapping Food Access Across Washington: Identifying Gaps and Connections
February 11, 2026
Mapping 820+ food organizations across Washington, Abigail’s work turns data gaps into a roadmap for equitable food access.
Introducing Bea with GoodRootsNW!
February 10, 2026
As an AmeriCorps VISTA Member with GoodRoots Northwest, Bea is dismantling those same barriers for over 75,000 food-insecure residents across Pierce County. Their tool? An innovative online food pantry system with refrigerated pickup lockers that transforms food access from a public ordeal into a private, dignified choice—available on each person’s own schedule, in their own language, without fear or exposure.
Turning Uncertainty into Reciprocity: A Story of Gratitude
January 12, 2026
Sydney Shaw is the Food Resourcing Data and Outreach Coordinator VISTA at FareStart in Seattle, WA. Sydney’s role had previously focused on increasing food access for underserved communities across King County and has transitioned to alleviating poverty, food insecurity, and waste through FareStart’s Contract Meals
Cultivating Engagement in Washington State’s Gleaning Community
December 15, 2025
Learn how Jen Roberts, AmeriCorps VISTA Member with the Washington Gleaning Network (WGN), is expanding the scale of their outreach and the efficiency of their feedback mechanisms using a blended-medium campaign.
Community Cider Pressing: Success through Volunteer Collaboration
December 11, 2025
See how Owen–the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator VISTA serving with the Portland Fruit Tree Project–led volunteers to make this year’s annual fundraiser PFTP’s most successful to date!
Filling the Gaps: Introducing Backyard Gleaning
November 21, 2025
Learn how Grace nurtured FISH Food Bank’s new backyard gleaning program and harvested 2,165 pounds of apples in 2025 alone! By bringing Volunteers, Homeowners and FISH together, she is redirecting food to community members and rebuilding the Kittitas Food System!
Community Orchards: A Place for Cultivating Abundance and Community
October 3, 2025
Learn how Owen (Harvest VISTA member) collaborated with the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland to set up a volunteer day at the Parkrose Community Orchard.