OUR MOTIVATION

“We want to make it easier for everyone in Lane County to access healthy, local, nutritious and affordable food.”
— Grow Lane County

We will accomplish this by supporting Coalition and Working Group-identified projects that improve food access, help to close health gaps, and share practical information about food security. Each year, we will host a one-day Food Security Summit to connect organizations, share what’s working and what’s been done, and plan next steps. Through our Coalition, we will work to include more community voices in decisions and to reduce duplication of work and services by helping groups to coordinate.

WITH YOUR SUPPORT

More families can access affordable, fresh, locally grown food, and more residents are connected to wellness programs and community activities that reduce isolation. Our food system allows the healthiest choice to be an easy choice. Better food access and stronger community connections support improved health for everyone. Reduced socio-economic gaps allow communities that have been historically left, to see and experience real improvements

THE RESULT

Let’s Get it Done, together

OUR SUCCESSES

MAY 2024 - 2025

OUR INVESTMENT

Grow Lane County invested over $500,000 across several types of activities to strengthen local food access:

These funds supported:

  • 2 Community Grants

    • Immigrant/ Latino community garden

    • Food Hub technology improvements

  • 5 Partner Grants

    • Food infrastructure improvements & expanded food access locations

  • 9 Farm to Food Bank Grants

    • Farmer-forward contracts to grow fresh food for FFLC

  • 6 Producer Grants

    • Expanded production capacity, improved practices and efficiency, and strengthened post-harvest handling and food safety

Projects improved access in areas considered to have limited access or are lower income

  • 31% of market access points

  • 8% of farms

The distribution of grants was:

  • 55% in Eugene

  • 25% in Springfield

  • 20% in Walton, Creswell, Noti, and Veneta

We prioritized reaching communities and producers that have been historically underserved:

  • 50% of awards supported historically underserved farmers

  • 33% supported beginning farmers