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