Help local food organizations feed the county’s needy
As this challenging year comes to a close and final thoughts are given to which charitable causes to support before it ends, here are just a few local food organizations to explore. And if holiday shopping is not yet completed, you’ll also find a couple of last-minute resources for edible gifts.
• ExtraFood delivers fresh, healthy meals to children, seniors and families, reaching more than 8,000 people in need each month and furthering its mission stared seven years ago to end hunger and waste in Marin by partnering with food organizations across the county. Find out more at extrafood.org.
• Feed the Frontlines Marin provides meals and juices for workers throughout Marin who are on the COVID-19 frontline, including hospitals, grocery stores, childcare centers and more, from Shoreline Coffee Shop, Watershed, Bootjack Wood Fired Bakery, Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe, Mon Reve Chocolate Studio and Juice Girl, and by extension, supporting local farms and other suppliers. Go to donorbox.org/ feed-the-frontlines-marin for more information.
• The San FranciscoMarin Food Bank is finding demand for its services steadily increasing following the latest pandemic lockdown, necessitating ongoing support to continue feeding vulnerable residents in the community. Go to sfmfoodbank. org to donate.
• Conscious Kitchen got its start in 2013 at Bayside MLK Academy in Marin City and to date, has served more than three- quarters of a million meals (and counting) to a diverse group of students by providing 100% organic, scratch- cooked, plant-forward school meals in low-waste kitchens. Read about the organization and donate at consciouskitchen.org.
• For Agricultural Institute of Marin, operator of two Marin farmers markets among the eight it runs in the Bay Area, a primary pandemic focus has been to help local and regional farmers, fishers, ranchers, purveyors and artisans make up for income lost by reduced demand from restaurant kitchens.
In April, AIM took immediate action by gathering an assortment of fruits, herbs, greens and other vegetables from its vendors to assemble bounty boxes to facilitate direct sales to shoppers. Bounty box purchases have resulted in more than $250,000 in payments to 38 participating farms between April and October. The program will continue into 2021, or as long as it benefits the vendor community.
AIM relies on grants and donations to keep its markets and food access program going as most profits from sales go directly back to farmers. COVID-19 has increased both the need and the cost of these markets, and community programs like Market Match that offers double value for CalFresh recipients and the Rollin’ Root mobile food truck that makes 11 stops every week, bringing fresh foods to more isolated neighborhoods and many older adults.
Help by making a donation at agriculturalinstitute.org, where you’ll also find information on purchasing weekly bounty boxes ($30) that are available for pre- order and curbside pickup between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. during
the Thursday market that runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3501 Civic Center Drive.
Support local
For those who have lastminute gifting needs, here are a few solutions that will also support local food businesses.
• Piezzi Provisions in Tomales was a pandemic pop-up and is now an established source for local cheeses, meats, game, jams, hard apple cider, eggs, butter and more that are procured directly from surrounding farms and food-makers. The shop also carries plants, books, candles and other items.
• Tomales Farmstead Creamery not only has its award-winning cheeses on the site, but also the farm’s