A community approach to ending hunger - We grow fruits and vegetables on available plots of farm land using beginning farmers and volunteers , and distribute the produce via local food banks.  

Value proposition – connect underutilized resources such as idle

land, beginning farmers and volunteers to produce locally grown nutritious fruits and vegetables and distribute to those in need

Grow thousands of lbs of fresh vegetables at a fraction of retail cost

Approximately 35,000 Yolo County residents are food insecure.

Food insecurity is the lack of dependable, affordable and convenient access to healthy foods

Our project attempts to help the Yolo Food Bank address all three aspects of food insecurity

How did this all start?1.5 acres isolated tract, fallow for yearsGood soils, access to irrigation water

Yolo Food ConnectPartners

Yolo Food BankCenter for Land-Based

LearningVolunteers

Yolo Food BankIntegrated approachCrop planning, delivery and distribution

Center for Land Based-LearningOrganic, sustainable Farming

KnowledgeCalifornia Farm Academy –

beginning farmers

Crop Plan worked with YFB and

CLBL to developKids Farmers MarketsBeets, carrots, potatoes,

butternut squash, pumpkins

Expect to produce 25 – 35,000 lbs of vegetables annually

2013 Partial Year ResultHired part-time farm

manager from CA Farm Academy

Installed irrigation Crops Planted in

June/JulyHarvest Completed

in mid OctoberDelivered

approximately 9,500 lbs of fresh vegetables

Volunteers are integral to our successLabor is highest cost input…..by far….. for no

pesticide farming. We have part time farm manager – all other

labor is volunteer.Community involvement creates awareness,

breaks down barriers.So far…. 650 plus volunteer hours

from more than 75 volunteers!

Who are our Volunteers?Community Service Groups –

Rotary Sunrise - Woodland Davis Odd FellowsGirl Scouts

Other Non ProfitsYolo Land TrustAudubonCenter for Land-Based Learning

BusinessesCardinal Health (Dixon)

Individuals

What’s Next?Look to expand and improve

Locate volunteer farming expertiseIdentify committed volunteers and groups as

partnersSmall Amount of land can make a big difference Solve Labor bottlenecksGrants, donations

Only 15 acres, intensively farmed, all year long could produce 400-500K lbs for 35,000 food insecure

How can you help?Volunteer! Plant, cultivate and harvest in

2014!Community Service groups like RotaryBusinesses - Scouts, 4-H, School groupsIndividuals

Share our StoryVisit us on FacebookTell a Friend or family member

Learn More:FoodBankFarmers.orgFacebook.com/foodbankfarmsDavis Enterprise articleWoodland Daily Democrat articleCBS Sacramento

Channel 13 clipYolo Food Bank website