Gorge Grown Food Network

GROWING GORGE FARMERS THROUGH PRODUCER WORKING GROUPS

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC INCREASED PRESSURE ON VULNERABILITIES AND STRESS POINTS WITHIN THE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE AND PROVED INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING FOR MARKETS AND PRODUCERS ALIKE. MANY REGIONAL MARKETS STRUGGLED TO PIVOT INTO ONLINE SALES, ADJUST STAFFING, AND EXPAND FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP MATCH. PRODUCERS ENGAGED IN DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER SALES, ESPECIALLY NEW AND BEGINNING PRODUCERS, HAD DIFFICULTY UTILIZING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO FACILITATE NO-CONTACT SALES WHILE ALSO FACING DECREASED SALES TO WHOLESALE ACCOUNTS.PROJECT PARTNERS ARE WELL POSITIONED TO LEVERAGE THE ESTABLISHED RURAL FARMERS MARKET NETWORK TO DELIVER TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND SUPPORT TO INCREASE THE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY AND ENSURE A FAIR, EQUITABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE COVID RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FOR REGIONAL FOOD PRODUCERS AND DIRECT PRODUCER-TO-CONSUMER MARKETS. TO SUPPORT THIS RESPONSE, GORGE GROWN FOOD NETWORK AND PROJECT PARTNERS WILL 1.) PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 10 MEMBER MARKETS OF THE RURAL FARMERS MARKET NETWORK, 2.) INCREASE RECRUITMENT, OUTREACH, AND SUPPORT OF NEW, BEGINNING, SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS THROUGH TRAINING AND STAFFING FOCUSED ON TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT, ONLINE MARKETING, BOOKKEEPING, AND BOOTH DISPLAY, 3.) INCREASE LOCAL FOOD SALES BY EXPANDING A LOCAL FOOD MARKETING CAMPAIGN AROUND RENEWED INTEREST IN REGIONAL RESILIENCE.THE EFFORTS OF THIS PROJECT WILL RESULT IN EXPANSION OF REGIONAL FARMERS MARKETS AS DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER MARKET SPACES, INCREASE KNOWLEDGE AND SALES FOR PRODUCERS ENGAGED IN THESE MARKETS, AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO LOCALLY PRODUCED PRODUCTS FOR OUR REGION'S MOST VULNERABLE CONSUMERS.

STRENGTHENING RURAL FARMERS MARKETS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE

SMALL TOWN, BIG MARKET: STRENGTHENING RURAL MARKETS THROUGH COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATIVE OUTREACH

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS

GROWING GORGE FARMERS THROUGH PRODUCER WORKING GROUPS