Food
EMO
continued from page 1
include farmer tables (farmer sells produce before or after a
service), community supported agriculture and a wholesale
buying club. Through these partnerships IFFP strives to
increase access to healthy, affordable produce for everyone.
Some of the ways that IFFP works towards this is by
encouraging the farmers we work with to apply for an EBT
machine to be able to accept SNAP (formerly food stamps),
WIC (Women Infant and Children) checks, and senior’s
coupons. We also encourage congregations to think up ways
to buy extra produce for a food pantry or community meal
or offer a CSA share to a low-income family at a reduced
rate. Along with supporting low-income families, these
partnerships also provide a relatively low-risk opportunity
for farmers who face the challenges of starting up a new
business and/or language barriers, to gain a new market and
build relationships with a caring customer base.
TSN: How many people are you working to impact with
this project? And is there a way that the different communi-
ties ever come together within the program?
EMO: This year we are facilitating farmer tables with
five congregations within the Portland Metro Area, along
with a buying club at a congregation in north Portland. We
encourage each of the congregations participating to also
get the word out to their surrounding community. The con-
gregations participating vary in size from a hundred mem-
bers to over a thousand members. We hope to create a space
where the surrounding community and congregation mem-
bers can come together, making the farm to congregation
partnerships a source of healthy food as well as connection.
In the past we have held a year end get together for all the
participating congregations and farmers to meet each other
and celebrate the season. We also organize field trips to visit
with our farmers and learn about their farms and farming
practices.
TSN: The EMO has for many years organized unique
service programs that connect communities of varying
faiths. Is there a way that diet, wellness and faith go togeth-
er?
EMO: IFFP strives to promote the connection between
food and faith. From eating nutritious food to keep our bod-
ies-temples of the Divine- healthy to making informed deci-
sions to support farming practices that keep our land and
water healthy, faith and food go hand in hand. As people of
faith we are also taught to care for the most vulnerable
among us. Working to ensure that everyone has access to
affordable, healthy, locally and sustainably grown food
while at the same time ensuring farmers are able to make a
living wage is one of the ways we can do this. We better
serve our Creator when we are healthy, and our faith centers
make it more possible for members and neighbors to live a
healthy life.
TSN: How can The Skanner News readers support your
See FOOD on page 7
SUB-BIDS REQUESTED
Tacoma Water Green River
Filtration Facility Project
Bid Package #10: Screw Presses
(Purchase Equipment Only)
Prebid Meeting and Site Visit: July 19,
2012 at 11:00am
Bids Due: July 31, 2012 at 2:00pm
HOFFMAN
CONSTRUCTION
COMPANY OF
WASHINGTON
Bid Phone: (206) 286-6697
Fax: (206) 286-7523
1505 Westlake Ave N, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98109
LIC # HOFFMCC164NC
We are an equal opportunity employer and request
sub bids from all interested firms including disad-
vantaged, minority, women, disabled veterans and
emerging small business enterprises.
Other Subcontracting Opportunities - Internet
http://www.hoffmancorp.com
7-25-12
Page 6 The Portland Skanner
July 25, 2012