Hopelink Harvest is the hub of Hopelink’s efforts to increase access to healthy food. Through partnerships with local farms, farmers markets, community gardens, and individual growers, the Hopelink Harvest program collects donations of surplus produce for distribution at Hopelink food banks. Together, we are growing a healthier community for everyone!
Volunteers have fun and learn about food and farming while serving their community.
Farm | Partner Since |
---|---|
Blue Dog Farm | 2012 |
Bob's Corn & Pumpkin Farm | 2015 |
Carnation Farms | 2013 |
Carnation Farmer's Market | 2012 |
Chinook Farm | 2013 |
Clean Greens Farm | 2012 |
Cottage Heirloom Blueberry Farm | 2016 |
Dancing Crow Farm | 2013 |
First Light Farm | 2013 |
Food Bank Farm | 2013 |
Kosters' Farm | 2015 |
Local Roots Farm | 2015 |
Mezza Luna Farm | 2015 |
One Leaf Farm | 2012 |
Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center | 2012 |
Present Tense Farm | 2012 |
Skylight Farms | 2016 |
Sound Sustainable Farms | 2017 |
Summer Run Farm | 2017 |
Sno-Valley Harvest was founded at Hopelink in 2011 in partnership with Rotary First Harvest and AmeriCorps*VISTA. The partnership provided three years of funding to support AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers who collaborated with Hopelink staff and community partners to found and grow the program. Over 109,000 pounds of produce was collected and distributed at Hopelink and other local food banks over the first three years of the program. With the end of AmeriCorps*VISTA funding for Sno-Valley Harvest in 2014, Hopelink is proud to take on full ownership of the program and looks forward to expanding the program’s operations and impact in coming years under the new name Hopelink Harvest.
The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.” In Washington, 14.6 percent of households experienced food insecurity, with 6.1 percent of households falling within the “very low food security” category. Food insecurity is associated with poor dietary intake among seniors and younger adults, and has a variety of negative impacts, particularly related to health and the ability for children to learn in school. By providing a consistent and direct source of fresh and locally grown produce, the Hopelink Harvest program is a critical component of ensuring that all members of our community have access to healthy food.