Purchasing Produce From Farmers

By Stephanie Kardos, Harvest Capacity Developer

Getting fresh produce into the emergency food system is something that is on the minds of many people who work at hunger relief organizations. One way of doing so, that can have a huge impact, is to purchase produce directly from a producer. This practice benefits both food banks and farmers. Purchasing directly from a local farmer increases the sale of local crops while improving access to healthier food choices for hungry families. In addition, buying produce directly from farmers goes a long way to strengthen the bond a between farmer and their community food bank. At times where purchasing is not feasible, a farmer may be more inclined to make produce donations if they have a strong relationship with a local food bank. 

Photo By Amy Lockard

This growing season Washington Food Coalition has partnered with Rotary First Harvest (and the Harvest Against Hunger AmeriCorps VISTA program) to work with pilot sites around the state to facilitate local purchasing from small farms. The pilot site purchasing model is based off of two purchasing programs currently being used in Western Washington. The Bellingham Food Bank’s “Seed Money Program” and Community Action of Skagit County. Three pilot sites have each been given $4,000 to purchase fresh produce from small local farms in Washington State. Based on previously completed studies of effective purchasing systems, the sites were guided to make contracts, pay before delivery, and reach out to multiple farms. By taking these steps we are hopeful that the sites will grow and strengthen the relationships with their small local farms, thus creating a solid partnership that will be mutually beneficial for both the food banks and farmers.  

Photo By Amy Lockard

So far, there has been only positive feedback from the sites. Better still, farmers have been more receptive to the sites as they reach out and ask for donations. One site stated that the project has helped by bridging gaps in communication between the food bank and farmer that had previously presented a struggle. The second site is using the purchasing project to deepen an already existing relationship with the farms that have a strong donation practice. Finally, the third site is using the money to help several small farms get started by doing CSA style purchasing.  Look for a summary of the project at the end of the year, and join the sites as they share more information about the pilot program at the Washington Food Coalition Annual Conference in September.