Over the past several years, food banks across America have struggled as conventional sources of food steadily decreased in the face of a changing economy and increased food costs. Consequently, this time also witnessed record increases in the number of people requesting food assistance. To combat this challenge locally, Marion-Polk Food Share began pursuing innovative food resources to meet the increased need.
Program Beginnings
Marion-Polk Food Share’s food production program began in 2006 through a partnership with the Marion County Jail. This partnership created a 5-acre garden at their facility to grow produce for distribution through local food pantries and meal sites. The garden was tended by inmate work crews; who gained valuable agricultural skills which enabled them to find post incarceration employment. Since 2006, this garden has produced over 100,000 pounds of fresh produce for area food boxes.
Agricultural Expansion
In 2008, Marion-Polk Food Share expanded food production to include a 20-acre field of green beans. This commercially grown field was a partnership with several NORPAC Foods growers, Oregon Department of Corrections, Farmers Ending Hunger, Marion County Corrections, Wilco Farm Stores, Marion Ag Service and Truitt Bros.
Oregon Department of Corrections donated the surplus land and water access located in South Salem. Our volunteer team of growers donated all ground preparation and helped oversee the project during the growing season.
Wilco and Marion Ag Services donated agronomy support and the application of all soil treatments. Marion County Corrections inmates tended and watered the crop using donated irrigation equipment.
Once the beans were ready for harvest, Truitt Bros. donated harvesting, hauling and processing of the crop.
This community effort resulted in 21,000 cans of green beans which were planted, harvested and produced with the sole intention of delivery to local food pantries and meal sites.
Going Forward
In 2009, Marion-Polk Food Share partnered with Farmers Ending Hunger, NORPAC Foods and Truitt Bros. for an expanded food production project. Rather than using donated land, both NORPAC and Truitt Bros worked with their growers to plant additional acreage of green beans and corn; which would later be processed and donated to Marion-Polk Food Share.
This year’s streamlined efforts produced 120,000 cans of green beans and 115,000 cans of corn. These vegetables filled a hole in Marion-Polk Food Share’s food supply.
Plans are currently underway to expand the program in 2010. Future plans include strategies to increase production of vegetables, fruit, and dried beans.