Community FOOD Connections 

Community Food Connections project was formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This project partners with local Elementary schools to identify high-need food-insecure families. A local school liaison identifies families in need, conducts a thorough needs assessment, and then connects families to the program. Additional periodic assessments are done with participating families to identify changes in need and effectiveness of the program.   We deliver farm fresh produce and grocery staples to these families that have barriers to accessing traditional emergency food distribution sites (e.g., seniors or other COVID-vulnerable family members in the household, lack of transportation, single caregivers, etc.) We deliver groceries right to their door every week, and additionally provide food to homeless students and their families through multiple school liaisons. We prioritize purchasing our produce from small-midsize local growers whenever possible, resulting in additional economic support for our region.