Ecotrust's Food & Farms Program
Overview
Photo by Andrew Daddio
Ecotrust's mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates social equity, economic opportunity, and environmental well-being. With regard to our Food & Farms program, we see a world of possibilities for flourishing farms, vibrant communities, and healthy eaters. In fact, we believe all three are inextricably linked.
Key Initiatives
We improve public understanding of agriculture and the challenges it faces, increase the market share of locally grown, processed, and manufactured foods, and share the abundance of our region with eaters from all walks of life. We place special focus on children and the schools that feed them, envisioning a future time when all children grow food, interact with farmers and food processors, and taste their own harvests; we introduce farmers to chefs and food processors to institutional buyers, knowing that changes often happen one handshake at a time; and we tell the often overlooked stories of our regional food system to instill all local eaters with a sense of place and a taste of home. Our key initiatives include:
Farm to School
We're thinking outside the school lunchbox by helping districts in our region source locally grown, processed, and manufactured products for the lunch line. We also conduct research of on-going programs, systemically track the growing "farm to school" market, and advocate for policy changes that support better school food and increased food literacy. Additionally, as the Western Regional Lead Agency for the National Farm to School network, we coordinate with and assist colleagues in an eight-state region working on similar issues.
Edible Portland
Edible Portland, Ecotrust's award-winning quarterly magazine, is part mouthpiece, part soapbox, and all celebration of the local, seasonal foods that abound in our region. Edible Portland is available in our lobby, at advertiser locations, and at select distribution spots throughout the greater Portland-metro area. Want to be sure you get a copy? Subscribe today and you'll receive the next 4 issues at your doorstep!
Market Connections: FoodHub
FoodHub is an online directory and marketplace that makes it easy for regional food buyers and sellers to find each other, connect and do business.
FoodHub offers:
- A Comprehensive Catalog of Buyers and Sellers
- Robust Profiles
- Sophisticated Searches
- Product Requests
- Streamlined Communication
Check it out! food-hub.org.
Building Local Food Networks: A Toolkit for Organizers
This toolkit synthesizes many years of experience building local food networks in the Pacific Northwest. Interested in hosting a "Farmer-Chef Connection" inspired event in your area that brings buyers and sellers of regional foods face-to-face? The toolkit and interactive learning community assist organizers by fostering peer-to-peer exchange of ideas and sharing lessons learned around the topic of building local food networks.
Special Events
From Michael Pollan to Michael Abelman to the Portland Thursday farmers' market, numerous authors, lecturers and organizations frequent Ecotrust's Natural Capital Center for thought provoking conversations and dynamic events. To make sure you are invited the next time we host a spicy debate or informative workshop, please sign up for our mailing list, Ecotrust Food & Farms Updates.
Food & Farms Friends
The Food & Farms program enjoys the support of numerous private philanthropic organizations as well as corporate sponsors. We'd like to extend a special thank you to the following corporate sponsors:
Annie's, Inc.
Food Services of America
Kettle Foods
New Seasons Market
Organic Valley
Organically Grown Company
Stahlbush Island Farms
Truitt Bros.
WillaKenzie Estate Winery
Willamette Valley Wineries Association
For more information on our corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact Deborah Kane or Ericka Carlson.
Make an Individual Donation to Food & Farms
Individual contributions also make our work possible. Make a tax-deductible contribution directly to Ecotrust's Food & Farms program at www.ecotrust.org/donate. Every dollar counts. To make sure your contribution reaches our program, include the words "Food and Farms" in the feedback box at the bottom of the donations page.
