North Coast Food Web

THE PRIMARY ACTIVITY OF THE NORTH COAST FOOD WEB IS THE IMPROVEMENT OF COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY IN OUR REGION. FOOD SECURITY IS DEFINED BY THE USDA AS "ACCESS BY ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES TO ENOUGH NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY LIFE." THIS EXEMPT PURPOSE IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE ORGANIZATIONS STATED COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEM GOALS OF: (1)THE DEVELOPMENT OF A JUST, SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM ON THE NORTH COAST, (2)MEETING THE NEEDS OF EVERYONE, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES, (3)PROMOTING GOOD NUTRITION AND HEALTH, (4)REVITALIZING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND BUILDING SELF-RELIANCE AND COLLABORATION, (5)FOSTERING COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING OUR LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM, (6)LINKING FARMERS AND CONSUMERS AND SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR FARMERS AND FOOD SYSTEM WORKERS, (7)CHANGING POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY GOALS, AND (8)HONORING AND CELEBRATING DIVERSE CULTURES AND TRADITIONS.

ONLINE FARMERS MARKET IS A YEAR ROUND, LOCAL FOOD MARKET SUPPORTING SMALL FARMERS AND FOOD MAKERS WITHIN 100 MILES OF ASTORIA. THE MARKET INCREASES LOCAL FOOD ACCESSIBILITY FOR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH ACCEPTING SNAP AND FDNP PAYMENTS; OFFERING A DISCOUNT ON FRESH PRODUCE PURCHASED WITH SNAP; AND A HOME DELIVERY SERVICE WITH NO FEE FOR LOW-INCOME CUSTOMERS. THE MARKET CURRENTLY SUPPORTS 42 LOCAL FOOD VENDORS AND OVER 500 CUSTOMERS ANNUALLY.

COOKING UP COMMUNITY/INCUBATOR KITCHEN - A COOKING MATTERS PROGRAM PROVIDING NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION, HOLDING HANDS ON CLASSES TO TEACH HEALTHY, SAFE FOOD PREPARATION, PROVIDING TECHNIQUES FOR SHOPPING SMARTER, MAKING HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES, WHERE INDIVIDUALS LEARN HOW TO COOK DELICIOUS, AFFORDABLE MEALS THAT PROVIDE PROPER NUTRITIONAL VALUE. THE CLASSES INCLUDE PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS, PARENTS AND TEENS. EACH COURSE IS TEAM-TAUGHT BY A VOLUNTEER CHEF AND NUTRITION EDUCATOR AND COVERS MEAL PREPARATION, GROCERY SHOPPING, FOOD BUDGETING AND NUTRITION. IN COLABORATION WITH THE LOCAL FOOD BANK, EACH PARTICIPANT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE HOME A BAG OF GROCERIES AT THE END OF EACH CLASS SO THEY CAN PRACTICE AND PRODUCE THE MEAL LEARNED IN THEIR OWN HOME KITCHENS. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATIONS COMMERCIAL KITCHEN IS AVAILABLE TO LOCAL FOOD BUSINESSES - WITH PRIORITY GOING TO NEW FOOD PRODUCERS, PEOPLE OF COLOR OR THOSE WITH LOW-INCOMES. THIS RESOURCE CURRENTLY SUPPORTS SIX BUSINESSES IN DEVELOPING AND PROCESSING VALUE-ADDED FOOD PRODUCTS.

FOOD BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES & OPERATIONS OF NCFW - WE OFFER INDIVIDUALIZED FOOD BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP BEGINNING AND SMALL FOOD BUSINESSES SCALE UP TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY. THESE ONE ON ONE SERVICES ASSIST WITH PACKAGING AND FOOD SAFTEY COMPLIANCE, PRODUCT PRICING AND MARKETING, NAVIGATING LICENSING AND INSURANCE AND MORE. DURING THE YEAR OVER 35 FOOD BUSINESS WERE SUPPORTED BY THIS PROGRAM.