about
Hunger rates in Oregon are considerably worse than the national average.[i] Approximately 20% of the population of Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties have incomes below the federal poverty line and about 27% of the children in the region live in food insecure households.
Diet-related health problems have become a global problem. The USDA’s Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) investigated the impact of making fruits and vegetables more affordable for SNAP recipients and results showed a 26% increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. The Corvallis and Albany Farmers’ Markets have offered some sort of SNAP match since 2011 and the demand has gone up yearly. Last year $34,996 was raised and distributed to SNAP recipients at the two markets who bought produce from local farmers. In addition to this locally raised money, $50,796 federally issued SNAP dollars were brought into strengthening our local food system.
Fresh and Local First is an all volunteer 501c3 tax-exempt organization. Every penny we raise goes to increasing the buying power of low income people at farmers’ markets in Linn and Benton counties. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We will be happy to provide you with a receipt for tax purposes.
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PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
HEALTH
Diet-related illnesses, such as diabetes are on the increase, especially among low-income people
Our Contribution:
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Give low income people money to Increase their fresh fruit and vegetable consumption.
ECONOMICS
Smallholder farmers have trouble making a living. They depend on farmers’ markets to sell their produce
Our Contribution:
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Increase the income of local farmers by attracting federal SNAP dollars to farmers’ markets
ENVIRONMENT
Conventional agriculture and the transport of food around the world accounts for one third of our greenhouse gas emissions
Our Contribution:
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Support the growth of a local, sustainable food system through the reduction of food miles