September/October Beans For Bags Spotlight: Food Bank Growers

October 17, 2023 Loren Alexanian

The Food Bank Growers network grows, gathers, and gives organically grown fruits and vegetables to build healthy, vibrant communities, improve food security, and decrease food waste for our Jefferson County neighbors.

In 2023, we have a great many things to be excited about!

The Food Bank Growers cooperative now numbers 13 gardens (including a small one at The Food Co-op) and other property owners are interested in joining the solution.
Food Bank Growers are partnering closely with local schools. The produce feeds students at Salish, Blue Heron and PT High with the surplus going to Jefferson County Foodbanks.
Food Bank Growers and Quimper Community Harvest (aka The Gleaners) are now partner organizations.
We are making and sustaining a successful effort to supply south Jefferson County food banks in Quilcene and Brinnon, as well as popup food banks in Coyle and Eaglemount.
Food Bank Growers are now supplying edible plant seedlings that are surplus to our own propagation directly to food bank customers, along with the knowledge and assistance to facilitate people growing their own food solutions. Hundreds of food plants are now in the ground and producing.

Successes? We have a decade-long record of consistently growing our cooperative and the yields of organic produce going to the four east Jefferson County food banks. Last year, in the face of challenging climate issues, 26,000 pounds of produce went to food banks, a year prior, production was 10,000 pounds more.

What sparks the interest of the community? How about the notion that nobody deserves to go without healthy nutrition? How about the knowledge that HALF of the households in Quilcene rely -- at least sometimes -- on the food bank? In the richest nation on earth, can't we all work to ensure that people go to bed with adequate food to sustain them?

If you have a love of food, farming and tending the land consider volunteering. Check out all our events and ways you can participate by visiting our website: https://www.foodbankgrowers.org/