Did you know?
Many King County farms donate some or all of the food they grow to local food banks. Find a local food bank or farm and volunteer or make a donation this holiday season!
If you, your family, or friends are interested in helping low-income families access fresh fruit and vegetables from food banks, you can donate to or volunteer at one of the farms, food banks, or advocacy organizations below to ensure your money will provide increased access to healthy foods for people in need.
Farms for Life – serving King and Snohomish counties
This organization links local farmers with people who want healthy food. They help local farmers yield more from their crops by paying for “surplus” produce, which often goes unharvested due to resource constraints. There are nine partner farms in King and Snohomish counties.
Farms for Life depends on donors and volunteers to run programs. Funds are used to purchase fresh organic produce from local farms at discounted prices. Farms for Life donates this produce to partner agencies that serve people in need.
You can volunteer with or donate to Farms for Life during the holiday season! If you choose to donate, you can check to see if your company will match your donation. Farms for Life is currently registered with companies like Microsoft and Google.
The South King County Food Coalition
This organization builds relationships with local growers to increase the amount of available produce in food banks and to support King County farmers.
Through a partnership with Rotary First Harvest, the coalition is piloting the WSDA’s Farm to Food Pantry program in 2018 where coalition staff purchase vegetables directly from farmers in South King County and bring that produce to member food banks for distribution. The coalition also runs Elk Run Farm. All Elk Run Farm produce is distributed through South King County food banks to those in the community who can least afford it and who live in areas where access to healthy food is limited.
Interested in giving back this holiday season?
The South King County Food Coalition represents 12 member food banks, which all have volunteer opportunities for people interested in donating their time to those in need. Food banks also accept monetary donations! Elk Run Farm also has volunteer opportunities if you are interested in helping on the farm.
You can locate a coalition member food bank here.
Hopelink Harvest – serving North and East King County
This organization is the hub of Hopelink’s efforts to increase access to healthy food. Through partnerships with local farms, farmers markets, community gardens, and individual growers, the Hopelink Harvest program collects donations of surplus produce for distribution at Hopelink food banks. Hopelink Harvest focuses their efforts on local farm gleaning, food bank gardens, and healthy cooking demonstrations.
Volunteers glean fruits and vegetables from local farms for Hopelink food banks and conduct cooking demonstrations each month that are budget-friendly and feature fresh, seasonal ingredients. Find a Hopelink Harvest food bank here.
Sign up for a volunteer position and see partner farms here.
Do you know of another King County farm, food bank, or advocacy organization doing amazing work for local food? Comment below and let us know!