NEWS
BY CLAIRE RISCHIOTTO
THAT’S MY FARMER RAISES FUNDS
FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
A
weekly produce box from a local farm can cost a
family of four $550 — for a 20-week supply of
healthy food, it’s a real bargain. But it’s not some-
thing every family can afford.
On April 14, First United Methodist Church
hosts That’s My Farmer, an annual fundraiser to support low-
income families by providing access to local and organic
food through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pro-
grams. Donations will go towards That’s My Farmer’s low-
income fund, which subsidizes what families cannot afford to
pay for a season of food shares.
The money goes directly from the fund to the farmer, says
Katharine Hunt, a volunteer coordinator for That’s My Farm-
er. In 2015, the low-income fund assisted 277 people, or 129
families. This year’s fundraising goal is $5,000, Hunt says.
Farmers will table at the fundraiser, allowing residents to
meet with local CSA programs and learn more about each
program and what it has to offer, such as the variety or quanti-
ty of food, as well as pick-up sites for food boxes, Hunt says.
This year’s theme for the event is “Bringing Food Home
for All of the People.”
“We really wanted to focus more on the low-income
fund,” Hunt says. “We feel like people in our area really get
the idea of CSA, of having a community supported agricul-
ture food share, but we wanted to really promote being avail-
able for all people, and no matter what how much you can
afford.”
Among That’s My Farmer supporters and promoters is
Willamette Farm and Food Coalition, says Lynne Fessenden,
the coalition’s executive director.
Make your home
work for you.
Fessenden explains that there are factors that make
it difficult for low-income families to purchase healthy
foods, such as having the time to prepare meals, not hav-
ing access to local grocery stores and having the financial
means to pay for locally sourced items.
“They’re forced to always be looking for the cheapest
food, and we know often that the cheapest food is unfortu-
nately not the healthiest food,” Fessenden says.
The fundraiser will also have door prizes and seasonal
snacks provided by farmers.
That’s My Farmer begins 6 pm Thursday, April 14, at
First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive Street. Orga-
nizers suggest a donation between $5 and $500. Find more
information at lanefood.org/thats-my-farmer.php.
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eugeneweekly.com • A pril 14, 2016
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