Central Rivers Farmshed

Farm Fresh and Free

PROJECT CONTACT

Ann Vang

Farmshed's Farm, Fresh and Free (FFF) program, provided locally grown produce to hunger relief partners and TEFAP eligible community members. Established in 2010, Farmshed connects community members and farmers, offering resources and educational events for a resilient local food economy. FFF expanded support to socially disadvantaged farmers, and emphasized health equity.

Collaborating with hunger relief partners, the program addressed accessibility issues in sourcing local foods. Commitment to diversity was evident through the FFF program, fostering connections with Hmong-operated farms and offering technical assistance. FFF aimed to benefit small local farms and the community, with qualitative data gathered through community interactions. Farmshed planned to share successes through an annual report, setting an example for community sponsors. The program's technical support is expected to continue through partnerships with WEDC and the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovations Hub.

PROJECT UPDATE 1

Central Rivers Farmshed secured culturally relevant produce from four Hmong farmers and sourced ground beef and goat meat from Bouressa for Central Wisconsin’s refugee communities. Farmshed will by purchasing 600 pounds of halal goat meat and is working with Liberation Farm for weekly fresh brown eggs. Challenges included reduced mainstream produce due to rain and communication barriers at Farmshed, impacting distribution efficiency. Solutions include better distribution notices and leveraging grant opportunities for farmers. Future activities will focus on scheduling farm visits, capturing stories, and developing a marketing strategy for Hmong farmers interested in value-added products.

PROJECT UPDATE 2

In Q3 The Central Rivers Farmshed successfully distributed over $60,000 worth of culturally relevant food to communities across multiple counties, partnering with local agencies to reach those in need. Key achievements included securing halal goat meat for food pantries, which increased community participation due to a non-judgmental distribution approach. Challenges included limited fresh product availability due to weather and logistical difficulties with pantry schedules, exacerbated by changes in pantry leadership. To address these issues, Farmshed expanded its network of producers and utilized refrigerated storage solutions. Moving forward, Farmshed aims to enhance communication regarding distribution days and explore partnerships with additional meal providers.