In addition to the distribution of food, the OFB Network implements innovative and culturally responsive strategies that empower community members. Hunger is not just an individual experience; it is also a community-wide symptom of barriers to employment, housing, health care, climate, and racial justice. That's why we're building community connections to help people access nutritious, affordable food today, and elevating community power to eliminate the root causes of hunger for good.
Due to inflation and the skyrocketing cost of living the number of individuals and families seeking emergency food assistance remains significantly higher than the pre-pandemic levels - with 1.2- to 1.3-million visits each quarter to pantries, free food markets, and meal sites. Food insecurity becomes even more pronounced for BIPOC, immigrants and refugees, single caregivers, and trans/gender non conforming communities who are already impacted by centuries of unequal access to resources.
In addition to supplying our communities with fresh, healthy food we are also working to change the systems that perpetuate hunger, to solve hunger for good. This work includes: dollar to dollar SNAP match on the purchase of fruits and vegetables at participating grocery stores; a farm incubator program; purchasing food directly from small farmers and ranchers representing underserved communities; and a statewide field organizing program advancing food justice through policy change.
Centering and led by those experiencing systemic inequity, poverty and hunger, we leverage our reach to amplify voices of those most impacted - transforming lived experience of hunger into systemic change and local solutions. OFB engages every facet of our community and food industry - including farm workers and growers, grocery retailers and manufacturers, community leaders and organizers, voters and elected leaders.
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