InFARMation: Future of Food – Local Perspective on Building Food Security

According to the Oregon Food Bank, in 2019 one in eight Oregonians was food insecure. This means that one in eight of our friends, neighbors, fellow citizens has been unsure of where their next meal is coming from or has had to forgo buying food in order to pay for other necessities like housing or utilities. COVID-19 has exacerbated some of these problems and deepened the need for already vulnerable populations like young children, LGBTQ, Black and Latinx individuals who are twice as likely to face food insecurity.

Luckily, we live in one of the most agriculturally productive states in the nation! Oregon’s producers and food security institutions are working together to find creative solutions. Between farmers selling to food banks during the crisis, regional food banks growing food on their own, and food justice concerns permeating the work of food system advocates, there are some inventive ways that producers are helping to get food into the hands of people who need it.

Join Friends of Family Farmers to learn more about the role of small farms and supporters in creating a robust and resilient food system in which everyone has access to good food.

Panelists for the evening will be:

Katy Giombolini, Statewide Network Developer for Oregon Food Bank:
Katy comes to her role at Oregon Food Bank with experience in farmer training and producer development. She works to build connections to funnel food to OFB all over the state and was recently at the forefront of a statewide campaign to help local farmers sell food directly to food banks. She will share information about the current state of food security in Oregon and efforts to combat the problem.

Ted Purdy, Youth Farm Coordinator at FOOD for Lane County:
Ted is the coordinator for the innovative Youth Farm program at regional food bank FOOD for Lane County. This 5 acre educational farm is both a training ground for young people to learn the joys of direct market farming and a resource for the food bank itself. They produce over 100,000 pounds of food annually for the Youth Farm CSA and farmstands, as well as to help feed local families in need.

Katrina Van Dis, Executive Director at High Desert Food and Farm Coalition (HDFFA):
Katrina grew up on a farm in Eastern Oregon and has devoted her professional and personal life to strengthening Central Oregon communities through food access and local-food support. She was a founding member of the Central Oregon Food Policy Council (now HDFFA) in 2012 and the non-profit has expanded to run numerous programs supporting local producers while also providing education and food access through programs like Veggie Rx, Cooking Classes, Fresh Harvest Kits and more.

Join Friends of Family Farmers for an evening of community and uplifting support of local agriculture. This is a virtual meeting, so you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home with your choice of dinner, snacks and/or beverage. Tell your friends and enjoy a night “out” together, while getting all the info you need to keep your food system strong. This InFARMation is statewide and all Oregonians are welcome.