OFS Builds Relationships with Local Farmers and Strengthens Community Food Systems
For more than 40 years, Operation Food Search has worked to address hunger by rescuing and purchasing food and distributing it to the community. Today, our mission is more ambitious than ever: improving the entire food system by developing more sustainable solutions to increase food access and security. At the top of our “to-do list” is building connections between local farmers, retailers and food assistance initiatives; learning from individuals and groups that are already doing this work; and strengthening our strategic partnerships.
“Bringing local farmers and the food they grow closer to the community,” says Monica Watson, OFS manager of community food systems, “is among our highest priorities. A farmer who sets up a farm stand or supplies MetroMarket with fresh produce and nutritious food can provide a true lifeline to residents with little access to fresh food.”
“We’re listening to local farmers and those who are involved in farm education and policy to find out what farmers need, create a process and provide funding tostrengthen their ability to grow food for our programs,” Watson explains. “It’s more than just providing grants; it’s also about forging strong, dependable relationships.”
She emphasizes that a better food system must address all the pieces of the network―from the needs of local farmers to the city ordinances that impact urban growers and community gardens to the quality and variety of the food that will be distributed to the community. Food banks everywhere, Watson points out, are zeroing in on the deficiencies in the food system that were exposed by the pandemic.
“Systems change,” she says, “requires both policy work and a grounding in the community to ensure that the voices of those being served are heard. It’s a huge challenge, but at OFS we’re totally up to it.”
Keep an eye out for more information about our work with local farmers and community food systems on the OFS website.
