Happy Spring!
Back in 2019, OCFSN members voted to transition the Network to a 501c3 organization. The pandemic slowed us down a bit, but we are happy to share the big news that we now have our first board of directors! The goal of this first board at this time is to shepherd along the rest of the process of becoming a 501C3.
We thank the following folks for stepping up to serve as our first board members:
- Aaron Vargas, Ecotrust
- Eddie Hill, Black Food Sovereignty Coalition
- Katrina Van Dis, High Desert Food and Farm Alliance
- Katy Giombolini, Oregon Food Bank
- Molly Notarianni, Farmers Market Fund
For a brief overview of OCFSN's structure please check out this organizational chart. It is based on the updated bylaws that OCFSN members voted to approve in September, 2020.
The shift to 501c3 status has required some structural changes to OCFSN over the past few months, and we want these to be clear and visible for all members.
We are planning to share more about OCFSN structure at an upcoming short virtual spring convening. We are finalizing the date and ask that Network members please take this short survey to help us with spring and fall convening planning.
In this newsletter you'll also find a new resource that highlights food hubs around the State and updates from working groups and committees.
Take care and stay safe!
OCFSN Leadership Team
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Spring and Fall Convening Survey
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Spring and Fall Convening Planning
We are planning on holding a short, virtual convening this coming May/June as a chance to share about OCFSN's 501c3 process and organizational structure, as well as, create space for working groups and members to share and discuss the impact and actions stemming from the fall food charter presentations. We hope it is an opportunity for members of the network to come together and connect.
We also are beginning the planning for our annual fall convening. We are hoping to hold this convening in-person, but want to hear from our members about your questions, concerns, and interest in a fall convening.
Please take this survey by Friday, April 30th to help us solidify a date for the spring convening and to help us with our fall planning. |
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Oregon has at least 12 active food hubs around the state, and a few more are in the works. The Oregon Food Hub Network – one of OCFSN’s working groups – has created a list of most of the established and emerging Food Hub ventures in Oregon, with brief descriptions and contact info:
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/20291/oregonfoodhub.pdf
The hubs on this list vary in their size, scope, and structure. All of them work to support producers, streamline operations, and play a crucial role in developing our state’s local food system to a scale that is competitive in mainstream markets.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines a food hub as a business or organization that actively manages the aggregation, distribution and marketing of source-identified food products primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand.
The Oregon Food Hub Network is a peer learning community for local food hubs, both active and in development, around the state. Partners include nonprofit organizations, farmers, ranchers, and fishermen, small food businesses, rural economic development agencies, and others. For more info about the network, contact Lauren Gwin: lauren.gwin@oregonstate.edu.
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Beginning Farmer Rancher Working Group
Updates from the Beginning Farmer Rancher Working Group include:
- We'd like to introduce our new Co-Coordinator Silvia Cuesta. Silvia is excited to be part of the BFR working Group and support their ongoing work towards a more equitable and vibrant food system. Silvia's dream for a more vibrant and sustainable food system has led her to support the work of local nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving beginning farmers. She strongly believes that a key ingredient towards achieving a vibrant and inclusive food system is to invest and support the success of our local farming and ranching community who are passionate about growing healthy delicious food and feeding their community.
- We are starting to plan a BFR Working Group Convening for early September of 2021. We hope to be able to have in-person and virtual options for attendance.
- We have started a Food Charter Video Review Process, inspired by the Access to Land group, that will inform our next iteration of the work plan and vision for this group, which we will be revised during this Convening.
- The BFR Story Map is getting an upgrade and will soon be new and improved! We will also be updating the BFR Resource Guide over the next few months.
- The Land Connection TA project is working on mapping out what a long-term, collaborative technical assistance program could look like in Oregon. We are also in conversation with the Access to Land Working Group about how to best support each other's work.
If you want to connect to the BFR working group please email Megan Fehrman, mefehrman@gmail.com.
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Access to Land Working Group
The Access to Land Working Group has been meeting regularly since last fall's Convening. Group members volunteered to re-watch the recordings of the Food Charter presentations from the Convening and record what they heard. After some organizing of the result, the group then spent two meetings discussing what was learned. (Thanks to Megan Horst--PSU, Megan Fehrman--Chair of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Working Group, and several other members of the team for helping organize the material and lead these discussions.) Working group members were recently surveyed on what all of this means. The working group is set to discuss what is next at our next meeting on May 3. For more information, or to attend the meeting, contact Greg Holmes at greg@friends.org.
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Veggie Rx Working Group
Here are the updates from the Veggie Rx Working Group:
- We are starting the year off on a roll with regular monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 11am. All are welcome to join!
- We developed evaluation questions for Veggie Rx participants that programs from across the state will be using. The data from pre and post surveys will be compiled at the end of the year into an Oregon Veggie Rx statewide report.
- We are currently updating the Veggie Rx strategic plan to help us focus our collaborative work and prioritize our goals.
- We are also connecting with the National Produce Prescription Collaborative to explore ways we can engage in policy work on the national level to support Veggie Rx programs.
You can contact Kaely Summers for more information about the Veggie Rx working group at ksummers@adelantemujeres.org.
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Local Food Hub Working Group
The Oregon Food Hub Network includes active and emerging hub projects all around the state. We recently published a list and map of active hubs. We also received a grant from the Roundhouse Foundation to ramp up our work together, including a hub needs assessment, increased direct technical support, and more shared learning about hub strategies and operations. In addition, we will communicate the value and impact of Oregon’s food hubs to state agencies and policymakers, to inspire additional public and private support, and embed food hub development in the broader community food systems movement, aligning with OCFSN values and commitments. For more information, contact working group coordinator Lauren Gwin: lauren.gwin@oregonstate.edu.
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Community Food Systems at the 2021 Legislature – OCFSN Policy Committee Update
The 2021 Oregon Legislative session has been moving quickly since it began in January. The political atmosphere in the country has fueled unprecedented conversations at the legislature this year, and many legislative priorities of OCFSN member organizations are moving forward. Our committee is working to stay connected throughout the session, sharing updates about legislative priorities, and keeping our organizations informed and engaged. Here's how you can get involved:
- 2021 Legislative Matrix: the Policy Committee members have been working to maintain this bill tracking spreadsheet. As the legislative session progresses, we will continue to update the status of bills and budgets that are of importance to OCFSN members. You can access the Matrix here: 2021 Matrix: CFS at the Oregon Legislature
- Biweekly Committee Meetings: we meet every other Wednesday, 12-1 PM, during the Legislative Session, to share info and ideas and help us stay connected.
- DEIJ in Public Policy Workshop Series:
- We hosted our 2nd workshop on “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Policy” Feb. 18th - with a focus on legislative action items and how to communicate the importance of DEIJ related legislation to our organizations.
- We will host a final workshop after the end of the legislative session (the week of July 12), focused on accountability and the impacts of allyship practices at the legislative level.
- We have the option to hold an additional workshop, on May 25th in the afternoon. Please respond to this survey if you are potentially interested.
Moving Towards a More Sustainable, Resilient, and Just Food System
The Policy Committee is committed to amplifying and advocating for the priorities of Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color to envision and actualize a more equitable and just food system. Our "DEIJ in Public Policy" Workshop series is just one way that we are putting action behind our words of commitment. We recognize the oppressive forces of the dominant culture here in Oregon, and are working to reshape the way we engage with food systems policy. We are led by the narrative that our well-being is connected to the well-being of others. We thrive when our neighbors thrive!
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