Farm to Heart Initiative October 2020 Update
A year ago last October, we launched the Farm to Heart Initiative.
Our purpose was to nourish young families facing food insecurity and extend the reach of our farm into an underserved community. We endeavored to raise enough funds to provide 10 CSA shares to low income families in the Fruit Valley neighborhood.
In response to our commitment, our partner, The Fruit Valley Family Resource Center, secured a donation of $30k ($10k a year for 3 years!). That donation specifically matches our fundraising efforts and provides an additional 10 CSA shares each season.
Last fall, at our request for support, many of you responded enthusiastically and generously. We raised the necessary $9,800 and successfully launched our program this year. Along the way, we established a number of incredible partnerships to strengthen our impact.
For the past 20 weeks, we have done the work. In the midst of a pandemic and through a summer with smoke-filled skies we’ve delivered on our promise to grow, harvest, pack, and distribute healthy, certified organic food to families in need.
In a year of instability, it has been incredible to get to know the families we serve and hear how access to our CSA program has enriched their lives.
One family signed up because their fourth grader is determined to “eat healthy and exercise.” And a mother told us how “everything has been so fresh, we’re amazed. My son eats the tomatoes like they are candy!”
Another family wrote us to say:
“We really do appreciate all the wonderful and yummy food we have been receiving from your farm. Along the way my husband and I have been teaching the girls about the food we get. We try to explain how each is grown, if it comes from a tree or the ground, and also that it takes time and patience to grow them. Our daughter has been seeing a nutritionist so [the CSA] has enabled her to try new foods and learn new recipes and she has so much fun doing that! We read all the info [every] week and so we all learn something new as well. Thank you to everyone at the farm once again for providing us with the weekly blessings!”
Because of your generosity, we’ve made a real difference for real families, and it has shown up in not so subtle ways.
Last week one family was not able to pick up their share, so Brad and I delivered the groceries to their doorstep. As soon as we arrived, one of our young, grade-school CSA members came running out of the house, apologizing profusely for missing pickup. He was so worried. When I showed him the pumpkin and groceries we brought, he smiled wide. Instantly his face showed relief - relief that food was in reach.
Our goal for the Farm to Heart Initiative is to prove that when farms partner directly with school based-community resource centers, both the farmers and communities mutually benefit in ways that are more efficient and effective than existing food donation and distribution models.
As we look toward the seasons ahead, we are in need of your support to help fund our Farm to Heart Initiative for two more years.
Meanwhile, we intend to do what we can to provide access to regionally grown, healthy food this winter season. Iliamna Fish Company has donated salmon, we’ve connected with Hummingbird Wholesale to purchase pantry staples, and we of course are committed to sharing any surplus produce and eggs from our farm.
We all know how comforting a nourishing, healthy meal can make one feel.
Just knowing, regardless of whatever else may come, our families can count on the stability of two more seasons of CSA nourishment will be an incredible gift.
May our circle of care grow ever wider and deeper.
With gratitude,
April & Brad
OR
Mail contributions to:
Farm to Heart Initiative
c/o April Joy Farm
PO Box 973
Ridgefield, WA. 98642