Food & Farms
Our approach: Building a Robust Regional Food System
Photo by Andrew Daddio
Ecotrust is working to build a robust regional food system that is environmentally sound, socially just, and economically viable. We see a world of possibilities for flourishing farms, vibrant communities, and healthy eaters. In fact, we believe all three are inextricably linked. In our work, we improve public understanding of agriculture and the challenges it faces, increase the market share of locally grown, processed, and manufactured foods, and share the abundance of our region with eaters from all walks of life.
How We Work
Our Farm to School program helps school districts and childcare centers in our region source food for the lunch line from regional farms and food producers. We also conduct research and advocate for policy changes that support better school food and increased food literacy. Additionally, as the Western Regional Lead Agency for the National Farm to School Network, we coordinate with and assist colleagues in an eight-state region working on similar issues, and are currently co-leading a national farm to preschool planning initiative on behalf of the Network.
Edible Portland, Ecotrust’s award-winning free quarterly magazine, tells the often overlooked stories of our regional food system to improve public understanding of agriculture and the challenges it faces, and to instill local eaters with a sense of place and a taste of home. Edible Portland is available in the Ecotrust lobby and at select distribution spots throughout the greater Portland-metro area. Want to be sure you get a copy? Subscribe today and you'll receive the next four issues at your doorstep!
FoodHub is a dynamic online directory and marketplace that makes it easy and efficient for professional wholesale food buyers and sellers to find each other, connect and do business.
FoodHub offers:
- Fast foraging for buyers with a robust product taxonomy and easy search.
- Comprehensive marketing for sellers through customizable profiles and product lists, a hot-sheet builder, PO/Invoicing tools, as well as highlighted listings and reduced-rate advertising with upgraded memberships.
- A “craigslist.com” style marketplace where buyers can post needs and sellers can communicate availability in seconds.
Check it out! www.food-hub.org
After many years of experience building local food networks in the Pacific Northwest, Ecotrust has published a detailed toolkit for community organizers on how to host a Farmer-Chef Connection-inspired event in your area that brings buyers and sellers of regional foods face-to-face. The toolkit and interactive learning community assist organizers by fostering peer-to-peer exchange of ideas and sharing lessons learned on building local food networks.
Food & Farms Friends
The Food & Farms program enjoys the support of numerous private philanthropic organizations as well as corporate sponsors. We'd like to extend a special thank you to the following corporate sponsors:
Food Services of America
New Seasons Market
Organic Valley
Organically Grown Company
Stahlbush Island Farms
Truitt Bros
Whole Foods Market
For more information on our corporate sponsorship opportunities,
please contact Nancy Bales
.
Collaborators
Some of the many groups we've worked with on projects large and small in the last two decades.
Annie’s Inc
Burgerville
FoodRoutes Network
Food Services of America
Friends of French Prairie
Good Food Awards
Gorge Grown Food Network
Kettle Foods
La Cocina
New Seasons Market
Oregon Food Innovation Center
Organically Grown Company
Organic Valley Family of Farms
Portland Farmer-Chef Connection
Portland Farmers Market
Portland Public Schools
Roots of Change Fund
Rotary First Harvest
Seattle Farmer-Fisher-Chef Connection
Slowfood Portland
Truitt Bros
Upstream Public Health
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Whole Foods Market
Willamette Farm & Food Coalition
Willamette Valley Wineries Association
