Perhaps one of the biggest downside in the local food movement is that not everyone gets to love it . Cost can be prohibitory , and access to a honorable James Leonard Farmer market can put full , fresh food out of compass for many humbled - income families . Good food is pricy to grow , therefore pricy to deal , but you’re able to discover a way to keeps the business of growing food viable while serving the underserved .
Work Trade
For families who are interested in supporting your farm but do n’t have the means , offer them a chance to work every week in interchange for some solid food . lie out expectations and piece of work hours before the trade wind commence . Many granger enjoy this option as a chance to feed people who may not normally be able to open it , while those families get to be a part of the growing process .
SNAP
TheSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Programis the modern kind of nutrient seal that help lower - income folk have access to food . Recipients are issue a counterbalance every month that they can spend on food from SNAP vendor . Becoming a SNAP marketer is a lilliputian tricky , but there are Grant available that allow granger markets to take SNAP cards , apply recipients the chance to purchase local nutrient with their welfare .
There are also political platform across the nation that duplicate the amount of clam give to the SNAP recipients to make their money go a little further . The Community Farmers Market in Bowling Green , Kentucky , where we vended for many years , offered a Double Dollars program to SNAP recipient role ( as well as WIC and FMNP vouchers ) up to $ 10 . Essentially , the first $ 10 of these benefits would become $ 20 to pass at the market on food .
Food Banks
Excess food happen in a good growing class . ( I ’m looking at you , squash . ) donate this excess to intellectual nourishment pantry and alimentation programs is an excellent way to see to it it does n’t go to waste . It goes to multitude struggling to tip their kinsperson , and many solid food banking concern will even come to your market after the day has ended to collect your extras .
It is also deserving note that many of these food banks are non - profit groups and can offer you gross for the value of the garden truck you give them for tax write - off purposes . It takes a sizable donation to get be able to employ that write - off , but it ’s worth keep track of just in case . If for no other reason , these receipts will show you how much food you put in the mitt and mouths of mass in need .
Gleaner Groups
Another great way to consider with excess green goods is to partner with a gleaning group that can come out to the fields and reap what you did n’t need . This will not be a viable alternative for everyone , but perhaps you’re able to mould out a trade with them and ask that they perhaps do a little employment in rally — i.e. , help with the whole harvest so they know what to pick , where , how and how much .
Donations
Of course , you could always offer donation from your farm . If you are in a position to take a small hit for a near grounds , I say go for it . However , our farm has always had good chance with regular customers donate CSA shares to less rosy families . This usually happens organically , where a category bear witness interest but determine they ultimately ca n’t afford it , and then another family offers to buy the share for them .
