Supporting the Portland Food System During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Supporting local food systems can strengthen local economies and communities, aid local farmers, preserve open spaces, benefit the environment, and help ensure the future of community farms. Yet, with the Shelter in Place order being enforced, providing that support can be more difficult. Here are some ways you can continue to champion our amazing Portland food community.
1. Support Oregon Farmers
Sign up for Community Supported Agriculture
Support farmers by signing up for a CSA. CSAs are helpful for producers, as farms sustain the costs associated with farming before the season even begins (i.e. buying and planting seeds, paying workers to prepare the land). By joining a CSA, you are sharing in the inherent risks of the agricultural season and assisting farmers with the necessary financial support for each growing season.
Shop at Farmers Markets
We are very fortunate here in Oregon that farmers markets have been declared an essential business and can remain open by adhering to ever evolving safety protocol. Shopping at the market is no longer a laid-back experience. There are rules to follow and some can find the whole experience daunting. In an effort to make the shopping event easier and keep shoppers safe and engaged, markets are embracing e-commerce and changing the way products can get to shoppers.
Portland Farmers Market, Hollywood Farmers Market and Lloyd Farmers Market have all set up online pre-order on their websites through providing direct links to their vendors’ sites or utilizing the WhatsGood app.
Beaverton Farmers Market has added a drive up approach to their market layout so shoppers may pick up their orders without leaving their car.
Hillsdale Farmers Market has switched to a pre order/pick up format only. Customers can place their orders online prior and drive through the market to pick up their orders.
Check out the Friends of Family Farmer site and sign up for their newsletter.
Friends of Family Farmers is a grassroots organization promoting sensible policies, programs, and regulations that protect and expand the ability of Oregon's family farmers to run a successful land-based enterprise while providing safe and nutritious food for all Oregonians. They work daily to promote and protect socially responsible agriculture in Oregon. Their website is full of resources for both farmers and eaters who want to support the agriculture community.
Contribute to national non-profit farmers relief funds
The Farmers’ Market Coalition , American Farmland Trust and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition are working to provide relief to family farmers through aid programs and community-based efforts to invest in local produce, as well as advocating for farmers to be included in federal stimulus and relief packages.
2. Support Portland Restaurants
As restaurants, bars and stores are temporarily closing or modifying their business models, it can feel more challenging than ever to back local food systems. Support these establishments and the people who work at them by doing the following:
Buy Gift Cards And Merchandise
Help sustain your favorite local and sustainable shuttered restaurants, pubs and bars by purchasing gift cards for future use. PDX SOS, Float, and Local for Later have compiled lists of restaurants that are promoting the sale of gift cards while their establishments are closed down.
Many establishments are also selling merchandise online to help bring in some much-needed income.
Chip Into A Virtual Tip Jar
Do a small act of kindness and tip servers at your favorite restaurant during these uncertain times. Virtual tip jars have been set up by the service community – contributions can be directly made to individuals at PDX Tip Jar or a tip can be sent through Venmo or CashApp to a randomized member of Portland’s service industry.
Order Take Out From Your Favorite Restaurants
Many restaurants around Portland are remaining open but only offering takeout from a pared down menu during reduced operation hours. It’s a great way to show your appreciation to local restaurants for staying open, contributing to the local economy and letting you take a night off from the kitchen. Search online and check out social media to see who is open and what they are offering.
Contribute To A Local Restaurant
Some restaurants are asking for direct donations from customers and their communities through online fundraisers. Visit restaurant websites to find out what platforms they are using and contribute!
Donate To A National Restaurant Relief Fund
James Beard Foundation and Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation and Restaurant Opportunities Centers United are all collecting donations to help hospitality employers cover things like rent, health insurance and lost wages. They are also pushing for government action and federal relief for the thousands of restaurant industry workers impacted by coronavirus, including paid sick leave and emergency pay for those who continue to work in potentially contaminated conditions.
3. Stock Your Pantry Mindfully and Sustainably at Independent Grocery Stores
Show some love to the local, sustainable purveyors. Shop their stores and stock up on locally grown and made pantry items like dried beans, grains, hot sauces, oils, nut butters, and produce. These are some independent stores in Portland to patronize – many are offering online ordering, delivery and or curbside pick-up for customers:
Northeast: Alberta Cooperative Grocery, Rubinette Produce Market, Ps & Qs, Real Good Food
Southeast: People’s Food Co-Op, Flying Fish Company
Northwest: Food Front Cooperative Grocery
Green Zebra Grocery (4 locations within Portland)
4. Support Organizations Fighting For The Food Issues You Care About
Donating money and/or advocacy support to an organization that is working on relief and various aid projects to combat the impacts of the coronavirus can help while keeping you and others healthy and protected at home.
Give To Food Banks
Portland food pantry and shelter systems are facing demand more than ever. Donate money, instead of food, so programs can purchase the exact items they need.
Stand Up For The Health And Safety Of Food Laborers
Food and farm laborers are often faced with difficult, unsafe working conditions while they are on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak. They work every day to make sure our food supply chain holds up while many Americans stay home. The Food Chain Workers Alliance continues its mission to protect these workers and guarantee fair, safe working conditions and proper pay, as well as support workers facing job and wage loss.
Donate To Farm To School Programs
Vital farm to school programs are no longer available due to the closure of Portland schools. These programs teach children about the importance of healthy fresh food and provide this food to many food-insecure communities. The National Farm to School Network and FoodCorps have put together various resources to help farm to school programs, and both organizations are advocating for continued school lunch programming and extended SNAP benefits to aid the families most affected
We are all in this together. Let’s support the farmers and producers that work so hard year-round to sustain us.
Be well and take care.