Harvest Against Hunger is expanding upon our Farm to Food Pantry program within our very own King County, Washington, in which 1 out of every 10 people lives in poverty1. Through the King County Farmers Share (KCFS), we are collaborating with hunger relief agencies, small farms, and aggregators within the county. Initiated by a Regional Food System grant from the King Conservation District, the program provides food banks, meals programs, senior centers, and other community organizations distributing free food with funding to purchase produce directly from farmers. Establishing these connections will both increase the amount, variety, quality, and consistency of local produce available to food-insecure King County residents and support local farmers with a consistent, profitable outlet.
We are developing direct purchasing agreements between farmers and organizations as well as piloting new ideas, creating flexible arrangements that support the varied needs of our partners. Like F2FP, agencies and farms can arrange contracts upfront (pre-harvest) or as extra unharvested produce becomes available during the growing season, ensuring fresh, healthy food goes to people rather than to waste. Since it is not always financially feasible for small-scale farmers to make donations, purchasing produce allows food assistance providers to establish good rapport, fostering ongoing, mutually beneficial relationships. Additionally, we provide regular networking and resource-sharing opportunities among the agency partners, as well as outreach support.
KCFS continues into 2022 thanks to COVID aid funding through Public Health Seattle/King County! Farmers interested in connecting with local food access organizations with aligned food needs and delivery windows can fill out our match-up survey: bit.ly/KCFSfarms