Columbia River Gorge · St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Bethel United Church of Christ Asbury United...

ColumbiaRiverGorgeCommunityFoodAssessment

2010Edition

Covering:KlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesinWashingtonState,andHoodRiver,Sherman,andWascoCountiesinOregon.

Preparedby:GorgeGrownFoodNetwork,Wy’EastResourceConservationand

Development,andtheKlickitatCountyHealthDepartment

http://www.gorgegrown.com

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Acknowledgments

FundingUSDACommunityFoodProjectsprogram,CooperativeStateResearch,EducationandExtensionService–Grant#20073380018520–CoveredHoodRiverCountyportionofassessmentwork

NationalandStateProjectPartnersOregonFoodBankCrossroadsResourceCenter

LocalProjectPartnersGorgeGrownFoodNetworkOSUExtension,HoodRiverCountyHoodRiverCountyHealthDepartmentDepartmentofHumanServices,HoodRiverCountyFISHFoodBankSoulCaféTheNextDoor,Inc/NuestraCommunidadSanaHoodRiverCountyCommissiononChildrenandFamiliesMid‐ColumbiaCommunityActionCouncilWascoCountyOSUExtensionMid‐ColumbiaMedicalCenterNorthCentralPublicHealthDistrictWascoCountyCommissiononChildrenandFamiliesShermanCountyCommissiononChildrenandFamiliesKlickitatCountyHealthDepartmentKlickitatCountyWSUExtensionSkamaniaCountyWSUExtensionMid‐ColumbiaChildren’sCouncilWSUHorizonsProgram

IndividualsandOrganizationsThankstothefollowingorganizationsandpeoplewholenttheirtime,resources,andexpertisetothisproject! HoodRiverMiddleSchoolHoodRiverValleyHighSchoolWy’EastMiddleSchoolLaClinicadelCariñoHoodRiverCountyWICprogramHoodRivercountyTANFprogramKiyokawaFamilyOrchardsIdiot’sGraceFaithConnectionGorgeEcumenicalMinistries

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RiversideCommunityChurchSt.Mark’sEpiscopalChurchBethelUnitedChurchofChristAsburyUnitedMethodistChurchMid‐ColumbiaUnitarianUniversalistFellowshipMid‐ColumbiaSeniorCenterCityofMaupinTheDallesGorgeGrownShermanCountySeniorCenterOregonDepartmentofHumanServicesWashingtonGorgeActionProgramsWhiteSalmonValleySchoolDistrictWishramSchoolDistrictTroutLakeSchoolDistrictGlenwoodSchoolDistrictBickletonSchoolDistrictRooseveltSchoolDistrictLyleSchoolDistrict

GailAloisio,KatherineLoeck,JohannaWyers,BruceBolme,AnnKramer,ToddDierker,LorenaSprager,JoellaDethman,LaurenFein,KathySmith,MaijaYasui,ElizabethDaniel,BillieStevens,SteveCastagnoli,KenMeter,SharonThornberry,AvaVanVelsor,JenniVizcarra,RebeccaBrochu,JanetHamada,JillDant,JimSlusher,JanealBooren,EllenLarsen,BrentEmmons,JeffHodges,SusanGabay,DonnittaBooth,LorindaHoffman,MarianneDurkan,KimberlyEstey,DeeGlassman,AmberTrosper,RainaTaylor,PatriciaMathews,LisaRoberts,JuliaBabcock,andRebeccaBrochu.

TheAssessmentTeam

ProjectCoordinatorandEditorSarahHackney

PrimaryContributingAuthorsMeghannDallinKatherineLoeckKateStoysich

AdvisersandResearchersGailAloisioLaurenFeinAnnKramerKenMeterSharonThornberryJohannaWyers

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Table of Contents I. Introduction

Why a Community Food Assessment?

Project Goals

Project Methodology

II. Growing Food: Farms, Ranches, and Local Markets for Local Produce

Farms & Ranches: Who’s growing what?

Markets: Where does the food go?

RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY: Chapter II

III. Accessing Food: Food Security, Emergency Food, and Shopping

Demographic Profile of Wasco County

Demographic Profile of Sherman County

Shopping for Food

Food Security: Are people’s food needs being met?

Emergency Food Access in Wasco and Sherman Counties

RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY for Chapter III

IV. Food Skills: Cooking, Nutrition, and Gardening

What’s cooking at home in Wasco and Sherman Counties?

Youth and Adult Nutrition in Wasco and Sherman Counties

Gardening at Home, School, and in the Community

Food and Faith in Wasco and Sherman Counties

RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY for Chapter IV

V. Conclusions and Summary of Action Recommendations

Summary of Key Findings

Appendix A: Community Food Survey

Appendix B: Producer Survey

Appendix C: Thrifty Food Plan Food List

Appendix D: Food Sites

Works Cited

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I.Introduction

WhyaCommunityFoodAssessment?

DriveinanydirectionalongtheColumbiaRiverinOregonorWashington–north,south,east,west‐andyou’reboundtoseeacreuponacreofagriculturalland.TheColumbiaRiverGorgeRegionproducesadiversebountyoffood,includingorchardfruits,grains,livestock,vegetables,andmore.Muchoftheregion’slandbaseisdevotedtoagriculture,andfarms,ranches,andthebusinessesthatservethemareaprimarydriveroftheregionaleconomy.

YeteverydaysomeGorgeresidentsgohungry.Othersareforcedtomakethechoicebetweenhealthyfoodfortheirfamiliesandrent,medicalbills,andotherexpenses.Moreresidentsthaneverareaccessinglocalfoodbanksassupermarketpricesrisealongwiththecostofliving.

ThisisnotseenonlyintheGorge.Forthelast50years,theUSagriculturalsystemhasbeendominatedbyinternationalinterestsasourruralcommunitiesandlocalinfrastructurehavesuffered.Familyfarmersandsmallfoodprocessorshavefounditincreasinglydifficulttomakealivinggrowingandsellingreal,fresh,healthyfood,whilefederalsubsidiesrenderedsomefoodproducts–highlyprocessedones–artificiallycheap.Afamilycanpurchaseasix‐packofsodaforlessthanthepriceofapoundoffresh,healthy,localcherries.

Influencedbyprice,convenienceandadvertising,manyofusareaccustomedtoshoppingatlargesupermarketswherethefoodtravelsthousandsofmilesfromfarmtomarket.Thefarmerremainsanonymous,andhisorherproducthashiddencostsbehinditsreasonableprice:fossilfuelinputs,greenhousegasemissions,andmoneydrainingfromlocaleconomies.Foreverydollarwespendonfood,theaveragefarmeronlysees19centsofit.Theother81centsgoestoexternalcosts–packaging,transportation,distribution,andmiddlemen.1

Wheredoesthefoodwegrowgo?Andhowcanweensureeveryonewholivesherehasaccesstothefoodtheyneed?Mostofusknowverylittleaboutwhereourfoodcomesfrom,andmuchlessabouthowitisgrown,packed,soldorshippedtothestore.Butallofthesepieces–production,distribution,consumption–areconnected.Foodisabasichumanneedandamajoreconomic

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driverinourcommunity.Tounderstandthebigpicture,we’vegottoexaminealltheparts.ThisCommunityFoodAssessmentfortheColumbiaRiverGorgeaimstodojustthat.

WhatisaCommunityFoodAssessment?

ACFAisacollaborative,participatoryprojectthattakesabigpicture,holisticlookatourfoodsystem.Assuch,mostCFAshavethreebasiccharacteristicsincommon:theyuseanassetbuildingapproach,seekingwaystobuildonexistingcommunityresources;theyengagecommunitymemberstohelpsetpriorities,conductresearch,anddeveloprecommendations;andtheyhaveanactionorientationandincluderecommendationsforchanges.2

ThesethreecharacteristicshelpensurethatthisCFAisnotjustanotherreporttogatherdustonsomeone’sdesk.Itisaresource,yes,butitisalsoanorganizingtool:actionsidentifiedinthisCFAarestrategiestoaddressrealneedinthecommunity,andtheinformationgatheredherehelpstomakethatcase.

Attheendofeachsectionofthisreportyouwillfindasummaryofactionrecommendations:theseareprojects,ideas,andpotentialsolutionsidentifiedbycommunitymembersthroughfocusgroups,interviews,surveyresponses,andresearch.Theyrangefromsmallandsimpletolargeandcomplex,andmanychallengeswilltakeyearstoaddress.Identifyingthemisagreatstart.Theserecommendationsummariesaretheplacetogowhenyoufindyourselfthinking,“Whatcanwedotoimproveourlocalfoodsystem?WhatcanIdo?”

Foodisabasichumanneed;itisaresourcethatwemismanageorignoreatourperil.Itistimetotakeaseriouslookatourlocalfoodsystemandfindouthowwecanmakethingsbetter:howwecanreducehunger,improvenutrition,andstrengthenthelocaleconomyallatonce.Thisassessmentisthefirststep.

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ProjectGoals

Thispurposeguidedourwork:toidentifybothresourcesandneedsinthecommunitysurroundingfoodsecurity,agriculture,andhealth,andtoultimatelyimproveaccesstolocallygrownfood,especiallyforpeoplewithlowandmoderateincomes.

TheHoodRiverCountyportionoftheassessmentincludesadditionalgoalsthatwereformulatedwithourpartnerteamthatguidedourinitialresearchandhelpedusdevelopaframeworkforquestionstoaskasweworkedacrosstheregionwithalargeteamofpartnerorganizationsandvolunteers.

1.Increaseopportunitiesforlow‐incomeresidentstoimprovetheirfoodself‐reliance.

Objective:Gatherdataonresidents’abilityandinterestingrowing,harvesting,preserving,consuming/cookingtheirownfood,andsellingexcessthroughlocal,directmarkets;andabilitytoaccessfood,includinglocallygrownfood

Objective:Determinebarrierstoaccessingfood,andgrowing,harvesting,preserving,consuming/cookingandsellingtheirownfood

Objective:Developaformalfoodsecuritycoalitionthatwillcreateandimplementaplantoincreaseresidentfoodself‐relianceusinglocalassetsandpartnerships

2.Addressthesustainabilityoftheregion’semergencyfoodnetwork.

Objective:Providedatatoemergencyfoodprogramstoassistindeterminingfutureinfrastructure,developmentandserviceplans

Objective:Developaformalfoodsecuritycoalitiontoplanlong‐termtoreducethenumberofindividualsreceivingemergencyfoodandourfoodbanks’relianceonfoodproducedoutsidetheregion

3.Enhancetheviabilityofandparticipationinourlocal,directfoodmarkets.

Objective:Providedatatolocalmarketstoassistincreatingentrepreneurialopportunitiesforlow‐incomeresidents

Objective:Implementandencouragefoodstamps(EBT)andFarmDirectNutritioninlocalmarkets

Objective:Promote,encourage,andassistparticipationindirectfoodmarketsthroughcoalition

ProjectMethodology

HowwegathereddataWetookaholisticapproachtodatacollectionforthisreport,recognizingthevalueofbothstatisticsandhumanstoriesinassemblingapictureofourlocalfoodsystem.Inadditiontoanoriginalsurvey

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designedspecificallyforthisproject,weutilizedextensivesecondaryresearchconductedbyourpartnersandbystateandfederalsources,andnumerousfocusgroupsandinterviewswithawidevarietyofstakeholders.

Asignificantportionofthesecondaryfarm‐relateddatainChapterIIwascollectedbyKenMeter,aspecialistinfoodsystemseconomicanalysisfromtheCrossroadsResourceCenter.AllsuchdataiscitedwithcredittoKenandtotheoriginaldatasource.

Thefollowingtoolswereourprimaryresearchmethods:

ConsumerSurvey

GorgeGrownFoodNetwork(GGFN)referencedfoodsurveysfromotherOregoncommunitiestodesignandpilotacommunityfoodsurveyspecificallyforthisproject.Thesurveywasfieldtestedtwicein2007andrevisedforclarity,readability,andeffectivenesseachtime.WesoughtastatisticallysignificantsamplesizefortheGorgeregion,andachievedit:atotalof2,441surveyswerecompletedforthisassessment.

Surveydistributionwasnotfullyrandom;projectorganizersfeltthiswoulddisadvantagesomemembersofthecommunitywhodonothavepermanentaddressesorphonenumbers,orwhomightbeunableorunwillingtomailasurveyback.Instead,wetookadeliberatelybroadapproach,aimingtoreachallsegmentsofthecommunitybyadministeringsurveysthroughouteachcountyviaprojectpartnerorganizationssuchaslocalchurches,foodpantries,publicevents,schools,andviatheInternet.Surveyoutreachwasalsoconductedthroughlocalnewspapers,newsletters,andradiooutlets.Intotal,over40sitesdistributedsurveysforthisproject.

ProducerSurvey

Theproducersurveywasdesignedtoaskresearchquestionsnotalreadycoveredbyexistingresearch;inaddition,weincorporatedsomeUSDAFarmCensusquestionstoaidincomparingthedata.Producersurveysweredistributedtofarmersatfoodproducerfocusgroups,inadditiontoarandomphonesamplingselectedfromGGFN’sproducerdatabase.Atotalof46producersurveyswerecollectedfromthesesources.

SupermarketSurvey

Thesupermarketsurveywasconductedtoassessfoodaccessinruralareasforthoselivingbelowthepovertyline.ThesurveywasconductedinallthegrocerystoresinKlickitat,Skamania,Wasco,andShermanCountiesusingtheUSDA’sEconomicResearchService(ERS)FoodSurveyInstrument.ThisdatawasthenanalyzedusingtheUSDA’sThriftyFoodPlanasabaserepresentativeoffoodsthatareeconomicalforlow‐incomehouseholdsandtomeetFederaldietaryguidelinesandFoodGuidePyramidservingrecommendationsforafamilyoffour(twoadultsages20to50andtwochildrenages3to5and6to11)foroneweek.

Pre‐existingresearch

Projectpartnerscollaboratedtocollectcomplementarypre‐existing,secondaryresearchrelatingtotheCFA’sgoals;thisisincorporatedthroughoutthetextwhereapplicable.Secondarytextiscitedwithendnotes;muchofthestateandfederaldatautilizedinthisreportisavailableforfreetothepubliconline.

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Interviews

Projectpartnersandvolunteersconductedover50interviewswithkeylocalstakeholders;interviewfindingsareincorporatedthroughoutthetextwhereapplicable.

FocusGroups

Projectpartnersandlocalvolunteershostedaseriesoffocusgroupsdesignedtofosterhonestconversationaboutfoodissuesinthecommunityandideasforimprovingchallenges.Focusgroupswereconductedwithlocalfarmers,low‐incomeresidents,workingprofessionals,healthcareprofessionals,andcommunitymembersatlargeineachcountyintheregion.

Volunteers

Over35volunteerscontributedtimeandeffort,includingover600hoursofservice,towardsthecompletionofthisreport.TheHoodRiverCountyportionoftheassessmentbenefitedfromgrantfundingtosupportvolunteerstipendsforcommittedvolunteers;18individuals,primarilylow‐incomecommunitymembersintheTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamiliesprogram(TANF),completedover200hoursofinvaluableservicetowardthecompletionofthisproject,includingsurveyoutreach,dataentry,andinterviews.

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II.GrowingFood:Farms,Ranches,andLocalMarketsforLocalProduce

Farms&Ranches:Who’sgrowingwhat?

TheColumbiaRiverGorgeregionofOregonandWashingtonishometoaproductivediversityofagriculturalenterprises,whichmakeupasubstantiveportionoftheregion’seconomyandprovidefoodfortheregion,thecountry,andtheworld.Family‐ownedfarmscomeinmanydifferentsizesintheregion–theeasternGorgefarmsarelarger,reflectingthelargeracreageneededfortheirprimarycrops:grains(wheat,barley)andbeefcattle.InthewesternGorge,smallerparcelsdominate,withblocksoforchardfruittreesandgrapescomprisingmuchoftheagriculturalacreage.

AtourthroughHoodRiverCountyquicklyrevealsitsprincipalcrop:fruit.Rowuponrowoffruittreeslinethevalley,fromtheColumbiaRivertotheshouldersofMt.Hood.AdrivefromTheDallestoMaupinorfromMaryhilltoGoldendaleisflankedonbothsidesbyrollinghillscoveredinwheatandbarley,fruittrees,andrangelandforcattle.

Fouroftheregion’sfivecountiesareheavilyagricultural–WascoisthetopcherryproducerinOregonandthefifthhighestgrainproducerinthestate,Shermanisthesecondhighestbarleyandthirdhighestwheatproducer,HoodRiveristhetopfruitproducer,andKlickitatisfourthinWashingtonforsheep(lamb)andgrapes.SkamaniaCounty,withitspreponderanceofpubliclyownedforestlands,doesnothavethevolumeofagproductsthatotherGorgecountiesdo,butdoesrankeighthinWashingtonforgrapeproduction.

Thebountyfromtheselocalorchards,fields,andpasturesispredominantlyboundforelsewhere.However,inthelast5years,numeroussmallfarmsfocusingonlocalsaleshavesprungup.Thiscomplementtolargeroperationshasenabledasmall–butgrowing–localmarketforlocalfarmproductstodevelop.Manyareafarmersproducecropsforlocalmarkets:orchardfruitforfresheating,grainsforflourmilling,freshvegetables,cutflowers,andfreerangingcattle,pigs,poultry,andothermeatanimals.

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Acrossthenation,thepercentoffarmproductssolddirecttoconsumer–theUSDACensusofAgriculture’sclosestproxytomeasuring“local”sales–isonly0.4%ofgrossfarmreceipts.IntheGorge,thepercentageis0.8%‐asmallamount,butonethatistwicethenationalaverage.

Agricultureisasignificantregionaleconomicdriver,totalingover$281millioningrosssalesin2007.3Theregion’sfarmsreceived$18.4millioningovernmentpaymentsinthissameyear(themostrecentyearforwhichthereisUSDACensusofAgriculturedata).Farmsandthebusinessesthatservethemmakeupasubstantialportionoftheregion’semploymentbase,andthemajorityoffarmsintheregionarefamily‐owned.TheaverageageofaGorgefarmeris56.3,justbelowthenationalaverageof57.1.

Unlikemanypartsofthecountry,theGorgeisactuallyseeinganincreaseinthenumberoffarms–theregionsawa15%increaseinthenumberoffarmsfrom2002to2007.However,atthesametime,theamountofactuallandinfarmsdecreasedmodestlyacrosstheregion,asdidtheaveragefarmsize.

ThisisnotintendedtobeacomprehensivereportonagricultureintheColumbiaRiverGorge:theprimaryfocusofourresearchisonfarmsandrancheswhoselltheirproductdirectlytolocalconsumers,orwhohopeto,ratherthantowholesaledistributors.However,thelargercontextofconventionalfarminginthisregionisalsoimportant,aslarger‐scaleproductionforwholesaleandcommoditymarketscontinuestobethedominantbusinessmodelinagricultureinthiscounty.Werecognizethisandhopetoemphasizepotentialmeansforallfarmersinthisregiontomaintainsuccessfulbusinessesandsupporttheirfamilies.

GorgeAgricultureataGlance‐2007

Source:USDACensusofAgriculture,2007

ACountybyCountyOverviewofAgriculture:HoodRiverCountyHoodRiverCounty,covering536squaremiles,isthesmallestcountyintheregionandthesecondsmallestcountyinOregon.Threequartersofcountylandispubliclyowned,andresidentsareconcentratedinpopulationcenters.47squaremilesofthecountyaredesignatedExclusiveFarmUse,totalingalittleover30,000acres.4ThemostrecentUSDAFarmCensusdatashows20,914acresincurrentproduction,with26,952acresinfarms.5

Asof2007therewere553farmsinthecounty.Perhapsreflectingthecounty’ssmallsize,therearenofarmslargerthan1,000acresinHoodRiverCounty.Theaveragefarmsizeinthecountyis49

CountyTotalSales(millions)

DirecttoConsumer

Sales

LandinFarms(acres)

NumberofFarms

AverageFarmSize(acres)

HoodRiver $100,443,000 $1,237,000 26,952 553 49

Wasco $89,862,000 $432,000 949,462 649 1463

Sherman $31,749,000 $81,000 514,004 208 2471

Klickitat $57,298,000 $525,000 601,216 893 673

Skamania $2,661,000 $68,000 5,472 123 44

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acres,downfrom52acresin2002.668%ofthecounty’sfarmsareunder50acresinsizeand32%areunder10acresinsize.7

Mostofthosefarmsareinvolvedexclusivelyinfruitproduction.HoodRiverCountyisthetopfruit‐growingcountyinthestateofOregon,andranks42ndnationallyforfruitproduction.Asof2007,HoodRiverCountywasthetoppearproducingcountyintheentirenation.8Thispearcroprepresents1/3ofthewinterpearseatenintheUS.9Ofthose20,914acresofcropland,atleastthreequarters‐12,194inpears,1,694incherries,and1,631inapples–isintreefruit.(note:2002figures)10

Countyfarmersalsoreportproducinghay(1,700acres),winegrapes(99acres),vegetables,berries,othertreefruitcropssuchaspeachesandnectarines,poultry/eggs,beef,cutflowers,liveplantsandbulbs,andseedstock(beans,grains).(note:2002figures)11Unfortunately,noaccuratedataexistsforhowmuchofthesesmallerproductsarebeingproduced,asthenumbersinvolvedaretoosmallfortheOregonAgriculturalInformationNetworktotrackandrelease.12.OSU’sHoodRiverCountyExtensionofficereportsanearly100%increaseinwinegrapeandblueberryplantingsinthelastdecade,buttotalacreageisstillsmalland“ablipcomparedtotreefruitproduction.”13

Hood River County Exclusive Farm Use Zones

Source: Hood River County Planning Department

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OrganicProductioninHoodRiverCounty

The2002CensusofAgriculturereportedonly4organicfarmsinthecounty.Noorganicdataisavailablefor1997,sotrendsonlybepartiallymeasured.However,researchindicatesthattherearemanymoreorganicfarmsinthecountyin2009:15organicfarmsinHoodRiverCountyregisteredforGGFN’s2008Who’sYourFarmer?Localbuyingguide14,andOregonTilthlists22certifiedorganicproducersinthecounty.15Thisisoverfivetimesthenumberoforganicproducersinthecountyin2002.

Inourfarmersurvey,18.2%offarmerswerecertifiedorganic,andanother63.7%incorporateatleastsomeorganicprinciplesintotheirgrowingpracticesoraretransitioningtowardmoreorganicpractices.Evengrowerswithnoofficialcertificationreportedaninterestinusingorganicprinciplestoreducecostsandbetterstewardtheirland.16

ACountybyCountyOverviewofAgriculture:WascoandShermanCountyWascoCounty,covering2,395squaremiles,issignificantlylargerthanitsneighborsHoodRiverandShermanCounty.ShermanCountycovers831squaremiles.Residentsareconcentratedinpopulationcenters,withTheDalles(population12,000)beingtheonlycommunityineithercountyover1,000residents.

LandinAgriculture:WascoandShermanCounties

ExclusiveFarmUse(square

miles/acres)

AcreageinFarmsandRanches(acres)

Wasco Unavailable 949,462

Sherman Unavailable 514,004

Source:USDAAgCensus,WascoandShermanCountyPlanningDepartments

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WascoandShermanCountyExclusiveFarmUseZones

Source:WascoCountyPlanningDepartment

ShermanandWascoCountyFarms

NumberofFarms

AverageSizeofFarms(acres)

%ofFarmsUnder50Acres

%ofFarmsOver500Acres

Wasco 649 1,463 40% 24%

Sherman 208 2,471 5% 73%

Source:2007USDAAgCensus

VeryfewfarmsinWascoorShermanCountyareunder10acresinsize–just16%ofWascoCountyfarmsand1.9%ofShermanCountyfarms.17Asthesefiguresshow,mostfarmsinWascoandShermanCountyarelarge–over1,000acresinsize.Thisisreflectiveofthetypeofagriculturemostcommonintheregion–cropssuchascherriesorwheataregrownonalargescaleandsoldatpricesmuchlowerthantheretailpricesfoundatfarmers’marketsorotherdirectoutlets.

OfWascoCounty’s949,000+acresoffarmland,approximately65.9%ofitisinrangeland,dwarfingtheamountsincropland(19%)andotheruses(15%).InShermanCounty,thepictureisdifferent:

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67.2%ofthelandinfarmsisusedforcrops,29.5%isusedforpasture,andanother3.25%isforotheruses.18

Morethan96%ofthelandinShermanCountyisinagriculturaluse,withthevastmajorityofthatlanddevotedtograinproductionandrangeforcattle.ShermanCountyranksthirdinOregonforgrainproduction.

WascoandShermanCountyfarmersandranchersalsoreportproducingvegetables,berries,othertreefruitcropssuchaspears,poultry/eggs,beef,pork,cutflowers,liveplantsandbulbs,andseedstock(beans,grains).19Theonlycropswithmorethan$1millioninreportedcountywidesalesin2007were:

TopAgProductsbySales,WascoandShermanCounty,2007

WascoCounty ShermanCounty

Product TotalSales(millions)

Product TotalSales(millions)

Fruits, tree nuts, and

berries

$59.6 Grains, oilseeds, dry

beans,anddrypeas

$29.3

Grains,oilseeds,drybeans,anddrypeas

$15.8 Cattleandcalves $1.5

Cattleandcalves $9.7

Othercropsandhay $2

Source:2007USDAAgCensus

Incomparison,farmersonlyreported$252,000invegetablesalesinWascoCounty–andsofewfarmersreportedvegetablesalesinShermanCountythatsalesestimateswereunavailable.

OrganicsinWascoandShermanCounties

ProducersinWascoandShermanCountyhavebeenslowtoadoptorganicgrowingpractices.USDAdataindicatesonlyonecertifiedorganicproducerinShermanCounty,and10inWascoCounty.ShermanCountyhasseennochangeinorganicproducernumberssince2002,butWascoCountyhasseenasignificantincrease,fromoneproducerto10.20

However,theAgCensusisanimperfectmeasureofgrowingpractices,andmaynotcapturethefullscopeoforganicgrowersinthetwocounties.Additionally,severallocalproducerssurveyeddidreportusingotherconservationmindedgrowingpractices,includingno‐tillfarming,permaculture,andavoidingpesticideuseasmuchaspossible,aswellasusingfullyorganicpracticeswithoutseekingcertification.21

Evengrowerswithnoofficialcertificationreportedaninterestinusingorganicprinciplestoreducecostsandbetterstewardtheirland.22

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ACountybyCountyOverviewofAgriculture:KlickitatandSkamaniaCountyKlickitatandSkamaniaCountymakeuptheWashingtonportionoftheColumbiaRiverGorgeregion.Theyaredifferentintermsofgeographyandintheiragriculturalprofiles.

KlickitatCounty,covering1,872squaremiles,isalarge,longcounty,andresidentsareconcentratedinpopulationcenters–Bingen/WhiteSalmon,TroutLake,andGoldendale,withnocommunityofmorethan4,000.23ThemostrecentUSDACensusofAgriculturedatashows601,216acresinfarmsinKlickitatCounty.24

Asof2007therewere893farmsinKlickitatCounty,a27%increasefrom2002.Theaveragefarmsizeinthecountyis673acres,downfrom864acresin2002.2565%ofthecounty’sfarmsareunder50acresinsizeand8%areunder10acresinsize.26

Byacreage,mostofthefarmsinKlickitatCountyaregrowingwheat,forage(foranimals),andgrapes;bysales,topproductsarefruit,cattle,wheat(andothergrains),anddairy.27KlickitatCountyhasasizableagriculturalsectorandisinthetopthirdofWashingtoncountiesforproductionofseveralcrops,includinggrains(wheatandbarley),forage,treefruit,livestock,andgrapes(fourthinthestateforgrapes).Countyfarmersandranchersalsoreportproducingvegetables,berries,poultry/eggs,beef,pork,andliveplants.

SkamaniaCounty,covering1,656squaremiles,ispredominantlycoveredbyNationalForestlandsurroundingMt.St.Helens.PopulationsareconcentratedalongHighway14neartheColumbiaRiver.Thereare5,472acresinfarmsinSkamaniaCounty.

SkamaniaCountyhasahistoryasanagriculturalcommunitybutinrecentyearshasnothadasmuchagriculturalactivityasitsneighborsinOregonandWashington.TheonlyagriculturesectorforwhichSkamaniaCountyisinthetophalfofstateproducersisaquaculture.Countyfarmersandranchersalsoreportproducingwinegrapes,vegetables,berries,treefruitcropssuchaspears,poultry/eggs,beef,pork,cutflowers,andnurseryplants.Approximately45%ofthecounty’sfarmsarelessthan50acresinsize.

LandinAgriculture:KlickitatandSkamaniaCounties

ExclusiveFarmUse(squaremiles/acres)

LandinFarmsandRanches(acres)

Klickitat Unavailable 601,216

Skamania Unavailable 5,472

Source:USDACensusofAg,KlickitatandSkamaniaCountyPlanningDepartments

OrganicsinKlickitatandSkamaniaCounties

ProducersinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountydonotheavilyuseorganicgrowingpractices.USDAdataindicatesonly2certifiedorganicproducersinSkamaniaCounty,and13inKlickitatCounty.28

However,theAgCensusisanimperfectmeasureofgrowingpractices,andmaynotcapturethefullscopeoforganicgrowersinthetwocounties.Additionally,severallocalproducerssurveyeddidreportusingotherconservationmindedgrowingpractices,includingno‐tillfarming,permaculture,

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andavoidingpesticideuseasmuchaspossible,aswellasusingfullyorganicpracticeswithoutseekingcertification.29

Evengrowerswithnoofficialcertificationreportedaninterestinusingorganicprinciplestoreducecostsandbetterstewardtheirland.30

DemographicsoftheGorgeFarmerTheaverageageofanOregonfarmeris57.5,andonly5%ofOregonfarmersareunder35.31InWashington,itis57.Only7farmers(outof46)inoursurveywereunder35.

45percentoffarmersinoursurveylistedfarmingasonlyapart‐timeoccupation;farmincomevariedasaportionoffamilyincomefrom5‐100%.Justoverhalfthefarmersinoursurvey–56%‐reportedthatfarmincomemakesuplessthan25%oftheirhouseholdincome.Manyfarmersreportedhavingaspouse’sfull‐timeoff‐farmjobassupplementalincome;thisisakeyassettofarmfamiliestosustaintheirbusinessesinleanyears.

Theirlandisanotherasset–78%offarmersreportowningtheirownland.Thiscloselymatches2002FarmCensusdata,whichrepotsthatthemajorityofGorgefarmersowntheirland.Theremainderleaseoroperateastenants.32

Farmersinoursurveywerepredominantlywhite,withasmallnumberofAsian‐Americanheritage.Surveyrespondentsweresplitalmost50/50betweenmenandwomen,butmostrespondentswerequicktonotethattheirfarmsarefamilyoperationswherespousesandchildrenofbothgendersareengagedandworkingforthebusiness.

AccordingtotheUSDACensusofAgriculture,18%oftheregion’sfarmshaveawomanastheprincipaloperator*,and22%offarmshaveatleastoneminorityoperator.Non‐whitefarmersintheregionreportedAmericanIndian,Asian,andmulti‐racialracialidentityandLatino/Hispanicethnicity.33

AccordingtotheFarmCensus,17%ofWascofarmsand11%ofShermanfarmshaveawomanastheprincipaloperator*,and14%ofWascofarmsand1%ofShermanfarmshaveatleastoneminorityoperator.Non‐whitefarmersinthecountyreportedAmericanIndian,Asian,Black,andmulti‐racialracialidentityandLatino/Hispanicethnicity.34

Thefarmersurveyconductedforthisfoodassessmentwascompletedprimarilybyareafarmerswhosellatleastaportionoftheircropsdirecttoconsumers;thesefarmstendtobesmallerandnewerthanmanyoftheconventionallargerfamilyfarmsintheregion.FarmertenureaccordingtotheAgCensusvaries:in2007,theaverageWascoCountyfarmerhadbeenonthefarmfor20.3

* Operators: This a new item in the 2002 census. Demographic and other information were collected for up to three operators per farm - the principal operator plus one or two additional operators. This may be fewer than the number of operators on some farms. Demographic data for up to three operators reported are presented separately for women, by race categories, and for Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin. * Operators: This a new item as of the 2002 census. Demographic and other information were collected for up to three operators per farm - the principal operator plus one or two additional operators. This may be fewer than the number of operators on some farms. Demographic data for up to three operators reported are presented separately for women, by race categories, and for Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin.

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years,theShermanCountyfarmer,22.8.Themostreportedtenureinoursurveyforthesetwocountieswasover20years(47.4%ofrespondents).

MigrantandSeasonalFarmWorkersintheGorge SeasonalandmigrantfarmworkersconductmuchofthefruitharvestintheGorge,inadditiontospringtimepruningandthinningoftrees,vegetableharvesting,andmanyotheragriculturaltasks.Allofthetreefruitharvestingisdonebyhand,makingseasonallaboressentialforthefruitcropharvestingneedsoftheregion.35Thegraincropsoftheregion–primarilySherman,Wasco,andKlickitatCounty‐‐areharvestedmechanically,requiringlesshumanlabor.

Itisdifficulttoquantifyhowmanyindividualsworkintheregionasmigrantorseasonalfarmworkers,duetotheirmobility,attimestemporaryemploymentstatus,andlanguageandculturalbarriers.Thesefactorsalsoimpactfarmworkers’vulnerabilitytopoorhousing,poorwages,andlackofaccesstosocialandhealthservices.TheOregonChildDevelopmentCoalition,whichrunstheMigrantSeasonalHeadStartprograminHoodRiverandWascoCounties,reportsthatfamiliescontinuetostruggletofindaffordablehousing,childcare,healthservices,andtransportation,especiallywhenharvesttimeslows.36

InOregon,thedepartmentofHousingandCommunityServicesestimatesthatthestate’sfarmsemployapproximately123,000agriculturalemployeesannually,ofwhich95,000(77%)areseasonal.37Determiningthenumberoftheseseasonalfarmworkerswhoaremigrantfarmworkers(seedefinitiontotheright)isevenmoredifficult.Themostrecentstateestimate(2002)is35,670migrantfarmworkersinOregon.38

Thereislimitedcounty‐specificdataavailable,andnonefromthelast5years.Themostrecentcounty‐specificestimates,from2002,arelistedbelow,butitshouldbenotedthattheseareestimates,andmoredataisneededtoensureaccuracy.Variationsinthesizeofannualcropharvestscanalsoimpactthenumberoffarmworkersemployedinagivenseason.

2002EstimatedSeasonalandMigrantFarmWorkersEmployedinOregonGorgeCounties WascoCo ShermanCo HoodRiverCoMigrantFWs 3,650 12 3,783SeasonalFWs 5,684 12 7,396TotalFWs 9,333 24 11,179

Source: Oregon Housing and Community Services Farmworker Information Center, 2002 Enumeration Study

SeasonalFarmworker:afarmworkerwhowasemployedinfarmworkatleast25daysandearnedatleast$400duringatwelvemonthperiodandwhohasbeenprimarilyemployedinfarmworkonaseasonalbasiswithoutaconstantyearroundsalary/wage.MigrantFarmworker:aseasonalfarmworkerwhoperformsfarmworkduringthepasttwelvemonthswhichrequirestravelsuchthattheworkerisunabletoreturntohis/herdomicile(permanentresidence)withinthesamedayandwhoestablishatemporaryresidencewhileperformingfarmworkatoneormorelocationsawayfromtheplacehe/shecallshome.(doesnotincludeday‐haulworkerswhosetravelsarelimitedtoworkwithinonedayoftheirlocations.)

Source:OregonHousingandCommunitySerivces

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AsurveyofagriculturalproducersinHoodRiverandWascoCountiesconductedin2006bytheOregonChildDevelopmentCoalitionrevealedthatoverone‐halfofgrowerssurveyedexpecttoemployaboutthesamenumberofmigrantfarmworkersnextyearfortreefruitoperations.

Additionally,accordingtothissurvey,onaverage,individualoperationsinHoodRiverandWascoCountiesrequirethelaborofatleast55migrantfarmworkerseachyear.39

Wagesreceivedbyfarmworkersvaryaccordingtotheemployerandtypeofcommodityproduced.Oregonlawrequiresminimumwageforfarmworkers,althoughtheycanalsoreceivea"piecerate"orsetfeepervolumeofharvest.County‐specificwageinformationforfarmworkersisunavailable.

Duetothislimiteddataandseveralindicatorsoffoodinsecurityamongtheseasonalfarmworkerpopulationinourcommunitysurvey,moreresearchisneededintothefoodsecurityandhealthandnutritionstatusoffarmworkersintheregion.

ChallengesforGorgeFarmersFarmersandranchersintheGorgearedeterminedtosucceedintothefuture.Ininterviews,theyreportnumeroussubstantialchallengesandbarrierstosuccess,butalsoacommitmenttoworkingwiththeirpeersandpartnerslikeGorgeGrowntoseeksolutions.Topissuesinfarmerinterviewswere:

‐ Difficultymakingaliving‐ Challengegettingcropstomarket(distributionandmarketing)‐ Landprices‐ Governmentregulatoryissues‐ Energyandinputcosts‐ Waterrightsandshortages‐ Laborissues

Difficultymakingalivingwasthetopconcernamongfarmersinmostcounties.Astheregionaldatashow,agricultureasanindustryisnotalwaysprofitableintheGorge,andmanyfarmershavesecondjobsorspouseswithfull‐timejobstomakeendsmeet.Theotherbarrierslistedabovecontributetothedifficultymakingalivinginfarmingintheregion.However,inthesechallengeslieopportunitiestostrengthenagricultureandincreasefarmers’abilitytosucceedintothefutureintheGorge.

FarmingChallenges:HoodRiverCounty

Farmerssurveyedforthisprojectwereaskedtoreportonperceivedthreatstotheirfarmbusinesses;concernsspannedawiderangeoftopics:

Do you perceive any of the following as threats to your farm or as barriers to expansion? Landprices 18.2%Globalwarming 18.2%

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Marketcompetition 36.4%Lackofmarket 27.3%Energy/inputcosts 63.6%Governmentregulations 9.1%Landdevelopment 36.4%Watershortages 36.4%Hardtomakealiving 45.5%Laborissues 54.5%Other(pleasespecify) 45.5%

Otherconcernscitedbyfarmersinthesurvey:

- Smallscalefarmingisnotcosteffective- Inadepressedeconomy,peoplearen’tbuyingmuch- Ifdevelopmentoccurs,weworryaboutlosingourwater(2)- Moredemandthanwecanmeet- Geneticallyalteredseeds

Thiswiderangeofconcernsillustratesthechallengingnatureofsmall‐scalefarminginthisregion.Ininterviews,farmersoverwhelminglyreportalovefortheprofessionandtheirwork,buttheneedforsolutionstotheabovebarriersisclear.

FarmingChallenges:WascoandShermanCounty

WascoandShermanCountyfarmersandrancherssurveyedforthisprojectwereaskedtoreportonperceivedthreatstotheirfarmbusinesses;concernsspannedawiderange:

Doyouperceiveanyofthefollowingasthreatstoyourfarmorbarrierstoexpansion?

Landprices 50%

Globalwarming 19.2%

Marketcompetition 34.6%Lackofmarket 50%Energy/inputcosts 50%Governmentregulations 46.2%Landdevelopment 11.5%Watershortages 30.8%Hardtomakealiving 53.8%Laborissues 38.5%Other 26.9%Source:WascoandShermanCountyProducerInterviews

Ofalloftheaboveconcerns,“hardtomakealiving”wasthemost‐oftennotedchallengeforproducersinthesetwocounties–moreofaconcerneventhanwell‐knownchallengessuchaswatershortagesorlaborconcerns.


Concernedabouthavingalargeenoughlocalmarket

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Wanttoretire,noonetotakeitover

Distancetolocalmarketsistoofar

Lowgovernmentpayments

Lackoflocalmeat/poultryprocessorsforanimals

FarmingChallenges:KlickitatandSkamaniaCounty

KlickitatandSkamaniaCountyfarmersandrancherssurveyedforthisprojectwereaskedtoreportonperceivedthreatstotheirfarmbusinesses;concernsspannedawiderange:

Doyouperceiveanyofthefollowingasthreatstoyourfarmorbarrierstoexpansion?

Landprices 26.7%

Globalwarming 6.7%

Marketcompetition 26.7%Lackofmarket 46.7%Energy/inputcosts 26.7%Governmentregulations 33.3%Landdevelopment 6.7%Watershortages 20.0%Hardtomakealiving 66.7%Laborissues 33.3%Other 46.7%Source:KlickitatandSkamaniaCountyProducerInterviews

Ofalloftheaboveconcerns,“hardtomakealiving”wasthemost‐oftennotedchallengeforproducersinthesetwocounties–moreofaconcerneventhanwell‐knownchallengessuchaswatershortagesorlaborconcerns.


- Costofbusiness,badeconomy,animalrights,fire

- Obtainingtheequipmenttodowhatweneedtodo

- Needmorelandclosetowherewelive

- Lowpricesofwheat

- Biggesthurdle:predators(cougars)

- Wehavenodesiretoexpandbutareconcernedabouthavingalargeenoughlocalmarket

- Lackofmeat/poultryprocessors

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Markets:Wheredoesthefoodgo?

Agricultureisasignificantregionaleconomicdriver,withtheGorge’sfarmstotalingover$281millioningrosssalesin2007.Theregion’sfarmsreceived$18.4millioningovernmentpaymentsinthatsameperiod.Theregion’sfarmproductionexpensesin2007totaledjustover$249million,foraregionalnetincomeof$32.5million.

Asubstantialportion–74%‐‐offarmsintheGorgeregionreportedsalesoflessthan$50,000in2007,and88%offarmsreportedlessthan$250,000insalesin2007.

HoodRiverCounty

Countyfarmswereresponsibleforover$100millioninsalesin2007–with$95.9millionofthatinfruit.Another$2.1millionwentintonurserycrops,leavingjust$2.4millionforallothercrops–includingvegetablesandlivestock.69%ofthecounty’sfarmsareunder50acresinsize,and57%offarmssoldunder$50,000worthofproductsin2007.OnlyoneinfiveHoodRiverCountyfarmssellsdirecttoconsumers,bringingin$1.2millioninsalesin2007;thisrepresents1.2%oftotalagsalesinthecounty.

WascoCounty

Countyfarmswereresponsibleforjustunder$90millioninsalesin2007–with66%,or$59million,infruit.Livestocksalesaccountedfor$10.5millionandgrainsalesfor$15.8million.Vegetablesalesrepresentedonly$252,000offarmsalesinthecounty.Only13%ofWascoCountyfarmsselldirectlytoconsumers,bringingin$432,000insalesin2007.That$432,000representsslightlylessthan0.5%oftotalagriculturalsalesinthecounty.

ShermanCounty

Countyfarmswereresponsibleformorethan$31millioninsalesin2007—with93%,or$29million,ingrain.Livestocksalesaccountedfor$1.6million.Only3%ofShermanCountyfarmsselldirectlytoconsumers,generating$81,000insalesin2007.That$81,000representsjust0.25%oftotalagriculturalsalesinthecounty.

KlickitatCounty

Countyfarmswereresponsiblefor$57.2millioninsalesin2007–with51percent,or$29.5million,infruit(andnuts).Livestocksalesaccountedfor$13.4millionandgrainsalesfor$8.6million.Only15%ofKlickitatCountyfarmsandranchesselldirectlytoconsumers,bringingin$525,000insalesin2007.That$525,000representsjustunder1%oftotalagriculturalsalesinthecounty.

SkamaniaCounty

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Countyfarmswereresponsiblefor$2.6millioninsalesin2007–with33%infruit.Livestocksalesaccountedfor$1.6million.Only22%ofSkamaniaCountyfarmsselldirectlytoconsumers,bringingin$68,000insalesin2007,whichrepresents2.5%ofagriculturalsalesinthecounty.

GorgeFarmProductionReceiptsandExpensesOverTime CashreceiptsandproductionexpensesintheGorge

GorgeCashreceipts $234Productionexpenses $254Farmproductionbalance ‐$20

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Ken Meter Gorge figures are averaged for the 30 years 1977-2006

Thischartindicatesalong‐termlossfortheregion’sfarmersintermsofcashreceiptsoverthepast30years.Thisdoesnotmeanthatallfarmerslosemoneyeveryyear–ifso,we’dhavenofarmersatall!Thelong‐termtrendsshowbothgoodandbadyearsfortheregion’sfarmers:

ChartpreparedbyKenMeter,CrossroadsResourceCenter

ThepictureforOregonlookssimilar:

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ChartpreparedbyKenMeter,CrossroadsResourceCenter

Asthesecharts,whichareadjustedforinflation,show‐farmershaveheldtheirproductioncosts(thebrownline)steadyovertheyears,whileprofits–influencedbysupply,markets,andotherfactorsnotalwaysunderthefarmers’control–varyfromyeartoyear.Inaddition,somefarmershaveadditionalincomestreamsonthefarmfromgovernmentpaymentsoractivitiessuchasrentingland.FarmersandranchersintheGorgeregionearnanother$23millionperyearoffarm‐relatedincome—primarilycustomwork,andrentalincome(30‐yearaveragefor1977‐2006).Theregionwon$25millioninfederalfarmsubsidiesin2006.AveragedataforHoodRiverCountyoverthepast30yearscouldnotbecompiledbecauserecordswereincomplete.40

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Chart prepared by Ken Meter, Crossroads Resource Center

Manyfarmproductionexpensescontributingtotheseannuallosses‐suchas,say,labororequipment–canbenefitthelocaleconomybyprovidingjobsandsupportinglocalbusinesses.Butothersaremoneyspentoutsidetheregionthathaslittledirectbenefittothecommunity.

Whenwelookatfarmexpensedatafromthe2002FarmCensus,theseproductionexpensesarebrokendownbycategory.AnalystKenMeterestimatesthatintheGorge,approximately$90millionoutofthe$254millioninannualproductioncostsismoneyspentonproductsfromoutsidetheregion.41(HRCnumberswereunavailable)

Thefollowingchartbreaksdownthemajorfarmproductionexpenses:

(Note: The major drop in labor costs from 1979 – 1983 is a result of incomplete data, not an actual drop in costs)

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Chart prepared by Ken Meter, Crossroads Resource Center

Andthat’snottheonlysetofexpensesafarmerhas.

AsmentionedintheIntroduction,foreverydollaraconsumerspendsonfood,theaveragefarmeronlysees19centsofit.Theother81centsgoestoexternalcosts–packaging,transportation,distribution,andmiddlemen.42Howdoesthat.81breakdown?USDAreportsitthus:

The‘marketingbill’aboveisimpactedbychangesinconsumerpurchasing:itemslikerestaurantmeals,microwavedinners,andprocessedfoodproductshavehighermarketingcostsassociated

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withtheirjourneyfromfarmtotable,thusthemarketingbillgrows.Themarketingbillhastakenalargerandlargershareofconsumerfooddollarssince1982,growingfrom73%ofconsumerspendingin1982to81%in2002.(2002isthemostrecentdataavailable)43Andnoticethatthismarketingbilldoesnotincludeactualon‐farmproductioncosts.

Toputitanotherway,accordingtoOSUExtension,theaveragefarmerseesonly12‐25%oftheretailpriceofhisorherproduct.44

NationalandInternationalMarketsThevastmajorityoftheagproductsgrowninthisregionleavesthehereforaregional,national,andinternationalmarket.

EvenadeterminedpopulacecouldnevereatallofthetreefruitorwheatthattheGorgeproduces.Whenlocalfarmerswhodonotselllocallywereaskedinoursurvey,“whynot?”themostcommonresponsewasthatthelocalandregionalmarketsarenotlargeenough.

Forexample:basedoncountypopulationandUSDApercapitaconsumptionestimates,eachyearthecombinedresidentsofHoodRiverCountyeat:

Estimated HRC fruit consumption per capita, in pounds

Fruit Total lbs lbs per capita Cherries 35,174 1.7 Pears 116,963 5.7 Apples 920,662 45.1

Source: USDA, Ken Meter. Becauseoftheprevalenceofthesefruitsinthecounty,wecanpresumethatresidentsofHoodRiverCountyarelikelyabovetheUSDAestimates–butforthepurposeofthisreport,we’llstickwiththestandardnumbers.Tohelpputthesenumbersintocontext,belowaretheOregonAgriculturalInformationNetworkestimatesfortotalcountyproductionofthemain3fruitcrops:

Major HRC fruit crop total yields, in tons

Fruit 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 5-YR AVG APPLES 8870.4 7697.9 11088 13715.6 12271.8 10,728.74 SWEET CHERRIES 5000 5000 1448 5061 5980 4,497.8 PEARS 142916 154166 153461 171282 160460 156,457

Source: Oregon Agricultural Information Network Wecancombinethesetwochartstogetanideaofjusthowmuchfruitthecountyproducesvs.howmuchlocalresidentseat.Thebelowpercentagerepresentswhatpercentageofthetotalcountyfruitcropsresidentsinthecountycouldeat,ifHoodRiverCountyresidentsatetheirUSDApercapitaconsumptionofapples,pears,andsweetcherriesexclusivelyfromHoodRiverCounty.

Total HRC fruit crop production vs. total county fruit consumption, in tons

Fruit, in tons Avg Annual County

Est. Total County Consumption

Percent Potentially Consumed Locally

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Production APPLES 10728.7 460.331 4.29% SWEET CHERRIES 4497.8 17.587 0.39% PEARS 156457 78.2285 0.05%

Source: Oregon Agricultural Information Network, USDA, Ken Meter Thesenumbersshowthatataverageconsumptionlevels,theresidentsofHoodRiverCountyeatonlyfivehundredthsofonepercentofthecounty’saverageannualpearcrop.Withapearcropinthehundredsofthousandsoftons,growersandpackinghouseshavetoseeklargermarketsfortheirproducts.Theselargergrowersreportthatmoreoftheircropisnowtravelingoverseas,toservegrowingmiddleclasspopulationsinIndia,Russia,andChina.Withaweakinternationaldollar,thesenewcustomershaveincreasedbuyingpowerthatcanoffsetthedistributioncoststotravelsuchdistances.45

LocalandRegionalMarketsMostofthefoodgrowninthecountyisdestinedforlargenationalandinternationalmarkets.Opportunitiestosellfarmproductsdirecttolocalconsumers,throughfarmers’markets,communitysupportedagriculture,farmstands,andmore,aregrowingatafastpaceacrossthenation,includinghereintheGorge.However,becausetheseopportunitiesarelimitedinthisruralregion,farmersreportusing2‐5differentdirecttomarketchannels,includingtheabovelistedchannelsinadditiontoonlineorders,restaurantandcaterersales,andmore.

Whileonly0.8%offarmproductsinthisregionarecurrentlysolddirecttoconsumer,thisistwicethenationalaverage.Inaddition,directmarketingisgrowingatamuchfasterratethanconventionalsalesmethodsinbothOregonandWashington.From1997‐2007,Oregonhadthefastest‐growingrateofgrowthfordirectmarketing,259.1%over44.1%forotheragriculturalsales–thegreatestincreaseinthenation.Washington,withthetenth‐greatestincreasenationally,reporteda163.2%increaseoverthesametimeperiodcomparedto37.3%fortotalagriculturalsales.

ItwouldnotbefeasiblefortheresidentsoftheGorgetoattempttoconsumeall–orevenasubstantialportion–ofthecropsfarmersheregrowfornationalandinternationalmarkets.Thescaleofproductionisfarbeyondlocalmarketcapacitytoabsorb.However,thereareopportunitiesfortheseproducerstoidentifylocalchannelsforsomeoftheirharvest,ortodevelopvalue‐addedproductsforGorge‐wideandPacificNorthwest‐widesales.Thereislittlelocalorregionalmarketforrawcommoditiessuchaswheatorbarley,especiallygiventhelackofmillingandprocessingfacilities,butthereareopportunitiesforthedevelopmentoflocalproducts,suchasflouroranimalfeed.Forthistohappenatanyscale,weneedsupplychaininfrastructureimprovements–distribution,processing,marketing–intheGorge.Notonlywoulddevelopingthisinfrastructurehelpfarmersgettheircropsandvalue‐addedproductstomarket,theywouldcreatelocaljobsandkeepmoredollarsinourregionaleconomy.

“Directtoconsumer”canmeanmanythings:farmers’market,backofthetrucksales,salestoneighbors,internetsales,CSAs,andmanyothersalesavenues.Itisconsideredacloseproxyfor

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localsales,asmost(butnotall)directtoconsumersalesroutesarelocalorregionalinnature.Mail‐orderisthenotableexception.

ACloserLookatDirect‐to‐ConsumersalesinHoodRiverCounty

Inourfarmersurvey,farmerswhoreportedsellingdirecttoconsumertypicallyutilize2‐5meansofsellingtheirproduct.Thesemethodsinclude:

Farmers’Markets

On‐farmFarmstands

CommunitySupportedAgricultureFarms

OnlineSales

U‐PickOperations

Bysellingthroughmultiplechannels,theyincreasetheiropportunitiestosellmoreoftheirproduct.Severalfarmersinthesurveyreportedsellingfirsttodirectmarketsandthen,whentheyhaveextra,sellingtolower‐marginwholesaleoutletslikegrocerystoresorpackinghouses.

Inthe2008editionofWho’sYourFarmer,alocalbuyers’guideincludinglistingsoffarmssellingdirecttoconsumerintheGorgeregion,85farmschosetolisttheirbusiness.Ofthese39arelocatedinHoodRiverCounty.46

Farmers’Markets

“Thefarmers'marketprovidesaservicetothecommunityforresidentsandforfarmers.”–GorgeGrownMarketvendor HoodRiverCountyhastwofarmers’markets:theGorgeGrownFarmers’Market(GGFM)andtheHoodRiverSaturdayMarket(HRSM).TheHoodRiverSaturdayMarketis17yearsold;theGorgeGrownFarmers’Marketis3yearsold.

Eachmarketaverages15‐25produceandfoodvendorsweekly(HRSMalsoallowscraftvendors,notincludedinthistotal).

Whileasmallpieceofthelargermarketforfarmproductsintheregion,farmers’marketssalesfiguresarenotinsignificant:

Gorge Grown Farmers’ Market Average Weekly Sales and Customers

Average Weekly Sales Average Weekly Customers Average Weekly Purchase per Customer

$4300 458 $9.38 Source: Gorge Grown Food Network Note: 2008 was the first year sales data was collected for the market; sales data for HRSM was unavailable.

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Overthecourseofa16‐weekseason,that$4300weeklytotals$68,800.

Manymarketcustomersinourfoodsurveyindicatedaninterestinextendingthemarketseasonandencouragedgrowerstotakemeasurestoextendtheirgrowingseasontomatchanextendedmarketseason.Assumingsimilaraverageweeklysales,extendingthemarketseasonbyhalf–8weeks–couldbringtotalmarketsalesto$103,200annually.

Vendorsinoursurveyindicatedseveralreasonsforchoosingafarmers’marketasoneoftheirsalesmethods:

“Itakehomemorecashthanatwholesale.”

“It’sawaytomoveextraproduce.”

“Icanemploymykidsasawaytoteachthemthebasicsofbusiness.”(2)

SPOTLIGHT:TheGorgeGrownMobileFarmers’Market

“Ifitweren’tforthismobilemarket,thereisnowaymyproducecouldeverreachthesetowns,”hesays.“Asafarmer,Ijustdon’thavethetimetotakeitthereandsellitmyself.”–Gorgefarmersellingtothemobilemarket In2008GorgeGrownFoodNetworkpilotedanewtypeoflocalproducemarket:themobilefarmers’market.ThemarketmadeitsfirstruninJuly2008,takingfreshfruitsandvegetablestosmallruralcommunitiesintheColumbiaRiverGorgeregionborderingOregonandWashington.

Thisprogramisnotafarm‐directsalesopportunity:GGFNpurchasesthefarmproductsandre‐sellsthem.However,farmerswereexcitedforanopportunitytosellmoreproductlocallyandreceivedirectpaymentsfortheirproductswithouthavingtoinveststafftimeintotravelingtothemobilemarketsitesthemselves.Theservicethushelpsareafarmersdevelopnewmarketsfortheirproductsandbringslocal,freshfoodtocommunitiesthatdon’thavefarmersmarkets–andinsomecases–grocerystores.AllleftoverproducefromthemobilemarketwasdonatedtoHRC’sMealsonWheelsprogram–atanestimatedvalueofover$500.

Quick Facts: Mobile Farmers’ Market (2008) Averageweeklyproducesales:approximately$1,200Averageweeklyshopperspersite/weekend:34.6/138.4ParticipatingGorgeproducers:19Gorgecommunitiesserved:4weekly,plus2additionaltrialsites

CommunitySupportedAgricultureFarms(CSAs)

CSAsareamodelontheriseinthisregion.USDAdefinesaCSAas:“acommunityofindividualswhopledgesupporttoafarmoperationsothatthefarmlandbecomes,eitherlegallyorspiritually,thecommunity'sfarm,withthegrowersandconsumersprovidingmutualsupportandsharingtherisksandbenefitsoffoodproduction.Typically,membersor"share‐holders"ofthefarmorgardenpledgeinadvancetocovertheanticipatedcostsofthefarmoperationandfarmer'ssalary.In

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return,theyreceivesharesinthefarm'sbountythroughoutthegrowingseason,aswellassatisfactiongainedfromreconnectingtothelandandparticipatingdirectlyinfoodproduction.Membersalsoshareintherisksoffarming,includingpoorharvestsduetounfavorableweatherorpests.Bydirectsalestocommunitymembers,whohaveprovidedthefarmerwithworkingcapitalinadvance,growersreceivebetterpricesfortheircrops,gainsomefinancialsecurity,andarerelievedofmuchoftheburdenofmarketing.”47

SevenHoodRiverCountyfarmslistthemselvesasofferingaCSApurchasemodeltothecommunityinWho’sYourFarmer?.ThisisthefirstattemptatcountingthenumberofCSAsinthecommunity,sodataisunavailableonhowmuchofanincreasethisrepresentsoverthepast10years,andthis7figuremayunder‐representthefullnumbergiventhatlistinginWho’sYourFarmer?isvoluntary.GorgeGrownFoodNetworkreportsthatatleasthalfofthese7CSAoperationsarelikelylessthan5yearsold.

Inourconsumersurvey,5.7%ofrespondentsreportreceivingfoodthroughaCSAasoneoftheirfoodsources.LocalCSAsofferbothfruitandproduceinadditiontodairy,bread,andmeatproducts.

Farmstands/U‐pick

HoodRiverCountyhasalongtraditionoflocalfruitstandsandU‐pickoperations.MostofthesefarmsareapartoftheHoodRiverCountyFruitLoop,whichhas36memberfarmsalongitsroutefromHoodRiverthroughOdell,MtHood,andParkdale.TheFruitLoopwasorganizedin1992withamissiontopromotesustainableagriculturaldiversityinHoodRiverCountythroughthepromotionoftheproductsofFruitLoopmembers.Theycoordinateon‐farmsales,organizedretailopportunities,marketingandpublicrelationscampaigns,andeducationalforumsthatcreatepublicawarenessofthecounty’sagriculturalheritageandprovidemanylocalpurchasingopportunitiesforresidents.

FruitLoopmembersdon'tjustpickandsellfreshfruit;mostarediversifiedoperationswithadditionalitems:wine,flowers,bakedgoods,preserves,soaps,honey,oils,andmore.Indoingso,theyaddvaluetotheirproductsandtheirbusiness.

MailOrder/Online

Comprehensivedataisnotavailableonhowmanylocalproducersutilizemailorderoronlinesalesvenuesfortheirproducts,but40%offarmersinoursurveyreportusingsomemeansofonlinesales,betheygiftboxes,processeditems,orpre‐ordersofitemssuchaschicken.

GrowthPotentialforLocalandRegionalMarkets

ThepotentialeconomicbenefittomorelocalfoodsalesinHoodRiverCountyissignificant.Whenwethinkbigger,andincludethemorerealisticregionalmarketoftheentireColumbiaGorgeregion–HoodRiver,Wasco,Sherman,Klickitat,andSkamaniaCounties–it’sevenmorenotable.

ResidentsoftheColumbiaGorgeregionspend$201.8millioneachyearbuyingfood,including$118.7millionforhomeuse.Aswehaveseen,mostofthisisproducedoutsidetheregion.InHood

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RiverCountyalone,residentsspend$52millioneachyearonfood,including$29millionforhomeuse.48

Ifwebreakthatfiguredownfurther,itlookslikethis:

2006MarketsforFoodEatenatHome:GorgeandHRC,inmillions

Product Gorge HRC

Meats,poultry,fish,andeggs $26 $7

Fruitsandvegetables $22 $5

Cerealsandbakeryproducts $14 $4

Dairyproducts $12 $3

“Other,”incl.sweets,fats,oils $41 $10

Total $115 $29Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ken Meter Ifwecombinethislocalandregionaldemandforfood,mostofwhichgeneratesacashflowoutofthecountyandregion,withtheaverageoutflowalreadyleavingtheregioninfarmlosses($10million/yrinHRC,$20/million/yrintheGorge),wecanestimatethetotalannualoutflowofpotentialwealthfromthecountyandregion.

PotentialwealthlossinGorgeandHRC,inmillions

Outflow Gorge HRC

FarmLosses 20 10

FoodPurchases 205 52

TotalLoss $225 $62Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ken Meter, USDA Farm Census That$225millioneachyearamountstoalmostthetotalvalueofallcommoditiesproducedintheGorge,onaverage($234millionannually).The$62millionoutflowinHoodRiverCountyaloneisneartheaverage$67millionannualvalueofallcommoditiesproducedinthecounty.

Notallofthisoutflowcanorneedstobestopped–asthisreportnotes,thecountyproducesmoreofcertaincrops,especiallyorchardfruits,thancouldeverbesoldhere,andsomefoodproducts,suchascoffeeorbananas,cannotbegrownintheGorge,meaningtheseproductswillalwaysneedtocomefromoutsidetheregion!Inaddition,manyofthefarms’expensesandinputscannotbereduced.

Thepotentialmarketvalueofadditionallocalandregionaldirecttoconsumersalesissubstantial.Thevastmajorityofthesedollarsarespentonfoodthatdoesnotcomefromlocalsources.Thereissignificantpotentialtostrengthenourlocaleconomywithevenamodestincreaseinlocalandregionalfoodpurchases,andanincreaseinfarmsgrowingcropsforlocalmarkets.

IfGorgeresidentspurchasedjust20%oftheirfreshfood–meats,poultry,fish,eggs,fruits,andvegetables–fromlocalsources,theeconomicimpactontheregionwouldbesignificant:

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PotentialValueof20%LocalPurchases(inmillions)

Product GORGE HoodRiver Wasco Sherman Klickitat Skamania

Meats,poultry,fishandeggs $5.1 $1.3 $1.7 $.14 $1.3 $.67

Fruitsandvegetables $4.5 $1.1 $1.5 $.13 $1.2 $.59

TOTAL $9.6 $2.4 $3.2 $.27 $2.5 $1.26 Thesenumbers,basedonBureauofLaborStatisticsconsumptionestimates,showthatevenasmallportionoffoodpurchasedlocally–20%‐‐addsuptoalargesumofmoneygoingbackintoourlocaleconomy.

Inaddition,$2.1millioninbenefitsannuallyareprovidedtoHoodRiverCountyresidentsintheFoodStampprogram.49TheUSDepartmentofAgricultureestimatesthatevery$5spentinfoodstampsgeneratesabout$9ineconomicactivity,helpingsupportlocalgrocersandgrowers.Statewide,thismeansthatthe426,000participatingOregonianshelpedgeneratealmost$855millionineconomicactivityinOregon.50InHoodRiverCounty,that’s$3.78million.

EncouragingmoreEBTparticipantstousetheirbenefitsatmarketswheretheycanaccessfresh,localfruits,vegetables,andmeatthuscouldbeaneconomicboontolocalfarmers–andahealthboonforlocalresidents.

FarmtoSchool,FarmtoInstitution:potentiallocalmarkets

Askanyfoodservicesdirectororfoodpurchaserforalocalschoolorhospitalwhatthey’dliketobeservingintheircafeterias,andthey’lltellyou:fresh,healthy,localfood.However,ourlocalschoolsfacechallengesingettingthisfoodfromfarmtoinstitution.

A2007EcotruststatewidesurveyofschoolFoodServiceProviderslistedthefollowingasreasonspurchaserswanttobuylocal:tosupportthelocaleconomy,toincreasethenutritionalvalueandqualityoffoodstheyserve,andtosupportOregonbusinesses.

Priceisthesepurchasers’mostfrequentlycitedchallenge(36.1%),followedbyinconsistentquality(30.6%),toomucheffort(16.7%),andreliability(13.9%).51

Whatcouldmakeiteasier?Statewiderecipientsresponded:

- Currentlistingsofsuppliers,products,andprices- Helpfromthestatewithregulatoryandsafetyinfo- Helpimplementinganeasy,usablesystemforpurchasesfrommultiplesources

Thisfoodassessmentdidnotinterviewlocalinstitutions(hospital,communitycollege,etc)asidefromtheschooldistricttogaugetheirinterestinbuyinglocalproductsfortheircafeterias,butthisstepshouldbetakentobetterestimateinstitutionalbuyingasaviablelocaldirectmarketforfarmers.

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SPOTLIGHT:FarmtoSchoolinHoodRiverCounty

“Wewouldlovetobuymorelocalproducts–itisgoodfortheschoollunchprogramandputsmoneyintothelocaleconomy.”–HoodRiverSchoolDistrictFoodServiceDirector52 Everyonewantstoseetheirchildreneatinggoodfoodatschool.ThechallengefacingtheHoodRiverCountyschoolfoodserviceprogramisfindingawaytogetthefresh,healthyfoodkidsneedontothemenuonaverytightbudget.*

HoodRiverCountybelongstoa90‐districtpurchasingco‐opwithacurrentcontractwithSysco;thissavesconsiderablemoneythankstotheco‐op’sgreaterpurchasingpower.80%offoodpurchasesaretiedupinlargeco‐oporders;theremaining20%isdiscretionary.This20%ofdiscretionaryfoodspendingisthewindowthroughwhichlocalfoodproductscanentertheschoollunchmenu.

Currently,thecountyfoodservicedirectorpurchasesonlyonelocalproduct:apples.

Sheandhercooksareinterestedinmorelocalfoods,though,andespeciallyseekitemsthatarealreadykidfavorites:strawberries,blueberries,kiwis,cherrytomatoes,watermelon,andcucumbers,inadditiontokitchenstapleslikecarrots,broccoli,andsaladgreens.

Theprimarybarriertogettingtheselocalfoodsintoschoolsisprice.Thedistrict’spurchasingbudgetallowsforonly$1.10tospendpermeal,andin2008,foodpriceswentupby12%butthefoodpurchasingbudgetdidnot,necessitatingasmallriseinschoollunchprices.

Anexampleofmenuplanningonthisbudgetillustrateswhygettingfresh,unprocessedfoodsontoschoollunchtraysisachallenge:

Federalproteinrequirement:2OZCostof2OZchickennuggets:.36centsCostof2OZchickenlegs:.74cents Thehealthier,less‐processedchickenlegscostalmosttwiceasmuch,andwouldleaveonly.36centsfortherestofthefederallyrequiredmenuitems:vegetable,fruit,andmilk.Additionally,theschooldistrictlacksacentralstorageanddistributionfacilityforfooditems.Syscodeliverstoall9schools,whichisatime‐consumingdeliveryrun.Theeffortrequiredtocontractwithmultiplesmallfarmerstomakemultiplevarying‐sizedeliveriesonaregularbasisisasignificantbarrier.Onelocalapplegrowerisabletomeetthedistrict’spriceanddeliveryneeds,andeachcookcanorderfromhimwheneverneeded.Thisisreallyvaluablefortheschools,andtheFoodServiceDirectorhighlightedthestudents’andcooks’enjoymentoftheseseasonallocalapples.Whatcanhelpgetlocalfoodintolocalschools?

* Note: all information in this section comes from the same endnote, #36.

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- Alocalsourceforproducethatis‘readytouse’.(Tosaveontimeandlaborwhenpreparinghundredsofmealsdailyateachsite,theyprefertobuyproducethatispre‐washed,cleaned,and/orpeeledwhenpossible.)

- Aconsistentandstablesupplyofproducts- Assistancewithfacilitatingmultiplepurchasesandmultipledeliveriesfrommultiple

suppliers–perhapsacoordinatedapproachwithseveralgrowersbutonlyonedeliveryrun?

- Centrallocationforstorageanddistributiontoallschools- Recipesandideasforencouragingchildrentotryhealthierfoods- Teamingupwithparentstogetchildrenexcitedaboutnewfoods- Additionalfoodpurchasingfundingtomakeitpossibletoafford,andthusprioritize,local

foods

36

HRCFOCUSGROUPSONFARMING

Below are quotes from farmers and ranchers – and some consumers -- on farming in the Gorge.

� “WewouldlovenottohavetogotoPortlandorSeattle,andsellmuchmorejustintheGorge.”� “Wepracticeeconomicspecialization–wecangrowpearswellhere,betterthanalmostanywhere

else,soitmakessensetodothisandselltoawidermarket.

� “JusthowmanyacreswoulditreallytaketofeedtheGorge?”

� “Asasmallfarmer,Idon’tseelocalmarketsasathreattobiggerproducers–theyareacomplement.”

� “Whathappensasthepriceofgasgoesup?Willthatrequirefoodtogetmoreregional,ordonationalandinternationalmarketfactorsstillmakeitprofitabletoshipfoodaround?”

� “Inthelongrun,we’vegottoeducatepeoplebetterabouthowagricultureworks.”

� “Weneedmorepeoplegettingintoagricultureasacareer,andifseeingfarmersatlocalmarketshelp

getthemintoit,that’sagoodthing.”

� “Whatdolocalfarmersneedfromlanduse?Howcanthelandusesystembetterhelpthemsucceed?”

� “We’vebeenspoiledasconsumersbycheapfoodthathurtsthefarmer.”

� “Localisnotalwayscheaperormoreefficient.”

� “Iftherearesomanyfruitfarmsinthearea,whyisn'tmoreoftheirproduceforsaleatlocalgrocerystores(i.e.RosauersandSafeway)?”

� “Iworryaboutthepesticidelevelsinfoodandwaterhere...”

� “Ineedhelptargetingandmarketingtorestaurants.”

� Weneedfundingopportunitiesforequipment.

� “Aboveallweneedhelpfindinganddevelopinglocalmarketsforwhatwegrow!”

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RECOMMENDATIONSUMMARY:ChapterII

1. Encouragethedevelopmentofmorelocally‐focusedfarmandfoodbusinesses,andthesuccessandgrowthofexistingoperations

o Expandandimproveproducereducationandnetworkingopportunitiesineachcountyandacrosstheregiontofacilitateinformationsharing

o Explorecooperativemarketingandmarketdevelopmenteffortsamongmultiplefarmersandpartnerstoincreasefarmviabilityandgrowth

o Assistbeginningandtransitioningfarmersinsecuringlandonwhichtooperateandstart‐upcapitalandmaterials

2. Developandimprovelocalmarketsforlocalproducts,includingdirecttoconsumersalesopportunities

o Strengthenanddevelopnewdirecttoconsumermarketoutlets,suchasfarmers’marketsandfarmstands

o Identifyopportunitiesforcommodityproducerstodevelopproductsforlocaldirectmarkets,suchasvalue‐addedproducts

o Identifypotentialnewlocallymarketedvalue‐addedproductsappropriatetolocalproducers

o Workwithlargerbuyers,includinginstitutionsandbusinesses,toencourageandaidtheminregularlypurchasinglocallyproducedfarmproducts

3. Fillinregionalsupplychaingapswithlocalbusinessesandcooperativeopportunitiesforproducers

o Developstrongerfoodprocessing(includingvalueadded)infrastructureforproductsdestinedforlocalmarkets

o Developstrongerfooddistributioninfrastructure,includingpartnershipefforts,forproductsdestinedforlocalandregionalmarkets

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III.AccessingFood:FoodSecurity,EmergencyFood,andShopping

WhiletheGorgeisaheavilyagriculturalregion,accesstofoodisdifficultformanyresidents.Theregion’spopulationofover75,000isgeographicallydispersedacrossmorethan7,500squaremiles,meaningmanyresidentsmustdrivelongdistancestoaccessafullservicegrocerystore.Othershavelimitedincomesanddependonemergencyfoodpantriestosupplementtheirmonthlyfoodbudget.

AcrosstheGorge,15.1%ofresidentslivebelowthefederalpovertyline.Theseresidentsstruggletobalancehousing,utilities,transportation,andhealthcarecosts,aswellasaccessingfoodfortheirfamilies.

PovertyRatesintheColumbiaRiverGorge

GorgeAverage HoodRiver Wasco Sherman Klickitat Skamania

15.1% 13.2% 14.6% 15.5% 19.3% 13.1%

Thischapterbeginswithdemographicprofilesofeachcountyprofiledinthisfoodassessment.

DemographicProfileofHoodRiverCountyThetotalpopulationinHoodRiverCountyasofJuly1,2006,was21,533people.Ofthistotal,childrenunder18represented26.3%andadults65andoverrepresented12.3%.Thecounty’spopulationhasgrownanddiversifiedinrecentdecades,withanincreaseinHispanicresidentsmostnotable:risingto25.8%in2006.53

Justover78%ofcountyresidentshaveahighschooldiploma;23.1%haveabachelor’sdegreeorhigher.Unemploymentin2007wasjust4.6%,partofaconsistentdeclineinunemploymentsincethemid‐2000s.54Unemploymenthasrisensharplyinthecurrentrecession.

Seasonalindustries,agriculture,leisureandhospitality,areamajorpieceofHoodRiverCounty’seconomy.Theseindustriesofferseasonal,low‐wagejobsandleavemanyresidentsstrugglingto

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findworkyear‐round.Notallofthosewhodohaveyear‐roundworkareabletoaffordbasicfamilyexpenses.

AccordingtotheBureauofEconomicAnalysis,HoodRiverCounty’spercapitapersonalincomewas$25,237in2004,83percentofthestateaverageof$30,561,and76percentofthenationalaverage,$33,050.55By2006,thisfiguregrewto$29,333,88percentofthestateaverageof$33,299and80percentofthenationalaverage,$36,714.56Theseimprovementsaregoodforresidents,butstilldonotguaranteethatindividualsattheaveragepercapitaincomecancoverbasiclivingexpenses.

In2005,averagemonthlyearningsinHoodRiverCountywere$1,998.Basedonthisaveragewage,one‐earnerfamiliesandtwo‐earnerfamilieswithmorethanonechildcouldnotcoverbasicfamilyexpenses.Familieslivinginpovertycouldonlyafford37.8to41.8%ofbasicexpensesin2005.57Asof2004,13%ofcountyresidentslivedatorbelowthepovertyline58(ThisisthemostrecentofficialCensusestimate).TheCensusestimatesthat18.4%ofchildreninthecountyarelivinginpoverty.59

WhilemorerecentdataonthecostoflivinginHoodRiverCountyisunavailable,evenat2005costlevelstheaveragefamilycannotcoverbasicexpenses.

2005HoodRiverCounty’sbasicfamilybudgetbyfamilysize

Basicfamilybudget/month

1adultand1child

1adultand3children

2adultsand1child

2adultsand3children

Housing $619 $881 $619 $881Food $303 $580 $479 $722Childcare $555 $1,122 $555 $1,122Transportation $381 $381 $535 $535Healthcare $239 $249 $324 $360Othernecessities $286 $453 $340 $497Taxes $436 $602 $445 $389Basicfamilybudgetneeded/month

$2,819 $4,268 $3,297 $4,506

Basicfamilybudgettotal/annual

$33,828 $51,216 $39,564 $54,072

Hourlywageneededforbasicfamilybudget

$16.26 $24.62 $19.02 $26.00

Povertythreshold $12,830 $19,350 $16,090 $22,610%Ofbasicbudget 37.9% 37.8% 40.7% 41.8%(Basic Family Budget was developed by Oregon Housing and Community Services for Oregon’s 2006 Report on Poverty)60 Non‐citrusfruitorchardsrequirethehighestnumberofseasonalworkersoutofagriculturalemploymentinOregon.In2006,HoodRiverCountyfarmersemployedanaverage2,240workers,rangingseasonallyfrom3,820inSeptemberto1,220inDecember.Additionally,NuestraComunidadSana(NCS),projectofnonprofitTheNextDoor,Inc.,reportsthateachyearourregion’sorchards,vineyards,nurseries,andfruitpackinghousesattractfrom15,000to40,000migrantandseasonalfarmworkers.

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DemographicProfileofWascoCountyIn2008,thepopulationofWascoCountywas23,775.Ofthistotal,22.9%wereunder18yearsold,17.6%wereover65yearsoldand12.3%wereHispanic.FromApril2000toJuly2008,thepopulationdecreasedby.1%.

In2008,82.1%ofresidentswerehighschoolgraduatesand15.7%hadatleastabachelor’sdegree.UnemploymentinSeptember2009was8.0%,a2.5%annualincreasefrom5.5%inSeptember2008.61

AccordingtotheBureauofEconomicAnalysis,WascoCounty’spercapitapersonalincome(PCPI)in2007was$30,589.ThisPCPIranked17thinthestate,at87%ofthestateaverageof$35,143and79%ofthenationalaverageof$38,615.The2007PCPIreflectedanincreaseof7.9%from2006whenthePCPIwas$28,347,84%ofthestateaverageand77%ofthenationalaverage.In1997,thePCPIofWascoCountywas$21,502andranked14thinthestate.The1997‐2007averageannualgrowthrateofPCPIwas3.6%62.

In2005,theaveragemonthlywageinWascoCountywas$2,226.63Withtheseearnings,oneadultwithoneormorechildrencouldnotcoverbasicfamilyexpenses.Familieslivinginpovertycouldnotaffordhalfofthebasicfamilybudgetin2005.Asof2007,14.6%ofcountyresidentslivedbelowthepovertyline.64TheCensusBureauestimatesthat24.6%ofWascoCountychildrenliveinpoverty.65

2005BasicFamilyBudget:WascoCounty


1adultand1child

1adultand3children

2adultsand1child

2adultsand3children

Housing $573 $814 $573 $814

Food $303 $580 $479 $722

Childcare $554 $1,022 $554 $1,022

Transportation $381 $381 $535 $535

Healthcare $239 $249 $324 $360

Othernecessities $272 $432 $326 $476

Taxes $339 $0 $283 ($27)

Basicfamilybudgetneeded/month

$2,651 $3,458 $3,064 $3,936


$31,812 $41,496 $36,768 $47,232


$15.29 $19.95 $17.68 $22.71

Povertythreshold $12,830 $19,350 $16,090 $22,610

%Ofbasicbudget 40.3% 46.6% 43.8% 47.9%

The Basic Family Budget was developed by Oregon Housing and Community Services for its 2006 Report on Poverty.

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DemographicProfileofShermanCountyIn2008,thepopulationofShermanCountywas1,638.Ofthistotal,17.3%wasunder18yearsold,21.1%wasover65yearsoldand7.7%wereHispanic.FromApril2000toJuly2008,thepopulationdecreasedby15.3%.OfOregon’s36counties,ShermanCounty’spopulationranks35th.

In2008,84.3%ofresidentswerehighschoolgraduatesand19%hadachievedatleastabachelor’sdegree.UnemploymentinSeptember2009was7.6%,a3.0%annualincreasefrom4.6%inSeptember2008.66Stateunemploymentincreased4.6%,from6.2%inSeptember2008to10.8%inSeptember2009.

AccordingtotheBureauofEconomicAnalysis,ShermanCounty’spercapitapersonalincomein2007was$28,971.ThisPCPIranked23rdinthestate,at82%ofthestateaverageof$35,143and75%ofthenationalaverageof$38.615.The2007PCPIreflectedanincreaseof41.3%from2006whenthePCPIofShermanCountywas$20,506,61%ofthestateaverageand56%ofthenationalaverage.In1997,thePCPIofShermanCountywas$18,997andranked30thinthestate.The1997‐2007averageannualgrowthrateofPCPIwas4.3%.Theaverageannualgrowthrateforthestatewas3.7%andforthenationwas4.3%.

In2005,theaveragemonthlywageinShermanCountywas$2,436.67Withtheseearnings,oneadultwithoneormorechildrencouldnotcoverbasicfamilyexpenses.Familieslivinginpovertycouldafford45.5to51.2%ofthebasicfamilybudgetin2005.Asof2007,15.5%ofcountyresidentslivedbelowthepovertyline.68TheCensusBureauestimatesthat22.9%ofShermanCountychildrenliveinpoverty.69

2005BasicFamilyBudget:ShermanCounty


1adultand1child

1adultand3children

2adultsand1child

2adultsand3children

Housing $564 $764 $564 $764

Food $303 $580 $479 $722

Childcare $514 $992 $514 $922

Transportation $381 $381 $535 $535

Healthcare $239 $249 $324 $360

Othernecessities $269 $417 $323 $461

Taxes $82 ($152) $275 ($81)

Basicfamilybudgetneeded/month

$2,352 $3,161 $3,014 $3,683


$28,224 $37,932 $36,168 $44,196


$13.57 $18.24 $17.39 $21.25

Povertythreshold $12,830 $19,350 $16,090 $22,610

%Ofbasicbudget 45.5% 51.0% 44.5% 51.2%

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The Basic Family Budget was developed by Oregon Housing and Community Services for its 2006 Report on Poverty. Basedonthesefindings,theMid‐ColumbiaCommunityActionCouncil(MCCAC)identifiedfoodinsecurityandtransportationasneedsofthelow‐incomepopulationsofWascoandShermancounties.70

DemographicProfileofKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyTheruralareasofKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyhaveanapproximatepopulationof20,377and10,794respectively.1,2In2008,childrenunder18yearsofagerepresented22.4%andadults65yearsandoldercomprised16.5%ofthepopulationinKlickitatCounty.1,2InSkamaniaCounty,21.2%ofresidentswerechildrenunder18yearsoldand12%wereadults65yearsandolder.71,72

Almost82%ofresidentsinKlickitatCountyhaveahighschooldiploma;16.4%haveabachelor’sdegreeorhigher.1InSkamaniaCounty,about86%ofresidentshaveahighschooldiplomaand16.8%haveabachelor’sdegreeorhigher.2

AccordingtotheBureauofEconomicAnalysis,thepercapitapersonalincomeinKlickitatCountywas$26,238in2005and$29,949in2007.73The2007percapitaincomelevelinKlickitatCountywasranked19thinthestate,whichwas23%belowthestateaverageand18%belowthenationalaverage.1,74InSkamaniaCounty,thepercapitapersonalincomewas$26,937in2005and$30,338in2007.2,4AsofNovember2009,theestimatedunemploymentrateinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountywas9.1%and11.7%respectively.75

PercentageofPeopleLivingBelowFederalPovertyLevel

KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyPeopleofallagesbelowpovertylevel 19.3% 13.1%Relatedchildrenunder18yearsinpoverty 29.2% 18.1%Relatedchildrenages5to17infamiliesinpoverty 25.4% 17.7%

Abasicfamilybudgetindicatesthefinancialcostofafamily’smostbasicneeds,whichislimitedtofood,shelter,clothing,childcare,healthcareandtransportationneeds.Basicfamilybudgetdoesnotincludesavings,travel,entertainment,andothercoststhatareconsiderednonessential.76The2007basicfamilybudgetinruralWashingtondemonstratesthatlowincomeresidentslivinginruralcountieslikeKlickitatandSkamaniaCountymaystrugglewithmeetingthecostofliving,andthereforegowithoutsomebasicneeds.8

2007BasicFamilyBudgetbyfamilysizeinRuralWashington8

BasicFamilyBudgetperMonth

1adultand1child

1adultand3children

2adultsand1child

2adultsand3children

Housing $669 $935 $669 $935Food $317 $616 $514 $776Childcare $518 $999 $518 $999Transportation $390 $390 $524 $524HealthCare $237 $343 $329 $435

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OtherNecessities $237 $373 $284 $411MonthlyTax $127 $211 $218 $225BasicFamilyBudgetneeded/month

$2,494 $3,865 $3,055 $4,304

BasicFamilyBudgetTotal/annual

$29,932 $46,385 $36,657 $51,652

HourlyWageneededforbasicfamilybudget

$15.59 $24.16 $19.09 $26.90

2007PovertyThreshold $14,291 $21,100 $16,689 $24,744%ofBasicBudget 47.7% 45.5% 45.5% 47.9% ThemainindustriesinKlickitatCountyincludeadvancedmanufacturing,orchardsandfruitpacking,andagrowingnumberofwineries.3Duringthe1990’s,therewasasteadyincreaseinemployment,whichslowedin2001duetotheclosureofanaluminumsmelterinGoldendale,inwhichthecountylost600high‐wagejobs.3Since2005,employmentopportunitieshaveincreasedinthecountywiththeestablishmentofInSitu,anengineeringfirmandcontractor,inwesternKlickitatCountyandwindfarmsalongtheeasternpartofthecounty.3

Inthelast20years,smalltomid‐sizefarms,ranchesandwinerieshavegrownandhavehelpedtostabilizethelocaleconomyintheeasternportionofKlickitatCounty.Throughoutthecounty,onequarterofjobsremainintheagricultureandforestryindustries,whichsomewhatreflectstheeconomyasitwashistorically,butatadecreasedlevel.

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AProfileofCommunityFoodSurveyRespondents

ThedemographicprofilesofthesurveyrespondentscloselyreflectthecountyprofilesasreportedintheUSCensus,whichsuggeststhattheCFAresultsrepresentresidentsfairly.Becausethecommunityfoodsurveywasconductedoveraperiodof2years,withaseparatedatabaseforeachcounty,thesurveyrespondentprofileisseparatedasitwasinitsimplementation:HoodRiverCounty,WascoandShermanCountiestogether,andKlickitatandSkamaniaCountiestogether.

(Some%agesmaynottotal100%becauserespondentsmayhaveskippedaquestion.)

HOODRIVERCOUNTY (Total respondents: 656. Total surveys completed in Spanish: 44. Some percentages may not total 100% due to participants skipping questions) ZIPCode

(CascadeLocks)97014 10.3%(HoodRiver)97031 72.2%

(MtHood/Parkdale)97041 10.0%(Odell)97044 1.4%

HouseholdIncomeUnder$10,000 10.9%$11,000to20,000 11.6%$21,000to40,000 20.4%$41,000to60,000 15.7%$61,000to100,000 18.7%$101,000ormore 6.9%Prefernottosay 15.9%

SeasonalFarmworkersYes 15.0%No 85.0%LanguagesSpokenatHome

* Other includes: Russian and French, but most respondents checking “other” reported speaking BOTH English and Spanish in the home. Household Size (number of individuals residing in the home)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9.6% 29.6% 17.4% 21.9% 11.6% 5.8% 2.3% .5% .2% .7%

Children in the Household

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20.6% 24.7% 32% 14.5% 4.1% 1.7% 1.7% .3% 0 .3% 0

English 77.0%Spanish 17.0%Other 6.0%

Gender,Age,Race,andEthnicity:Male 27.7%Female 72.0%Under18 25.9%19to25 7.7%26to35 14.6%36to55 28.9%56to70 13.1%Over70 9.7%White 80.7%Asian 1.9%AmericanIndianorAlaskaNative 3.1%NativeHawaiianorPacificIslander 0.9%AfricanAmerican/Black 1.0%Other 15.0%Prefernottosay 3.7%

OfLatino/HispanicEthnicicyYes 28.8%No 71.2%

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Seniors over 65 in the Household

0 1 2 3 4 5 55.8% 25.6 14.9% 2.9% 0 .4%

WASCOANDSHERMANCOUNTY ZIPCodeWascoCounty 678(Antelope)97001 <1%(Dufur)97021 5.5%(Maupin)97037 6.1%(Mosier)97040 7.2%(Shaniko)97057 <1%(TheDalles)97058 76.3%(TyghValley)97063 4.7%ShermanCounty 131(GrassValley)97029 11.5%(Kent)97033 1.5%(Moro)97039 36.6%(Rufus)97050 13.0%Wasco(97065) 37.4%

HouseholdIncome

Gender,Age,RaceandEthnicity Wasco ShermanMale 19.9% 17.8%Female 80.1% 82.2%Under18 1.2% 0.0%19to25 8.0% 3.1%26to35 20.1% 10.8%36to55 41.4% 36.2%56to70 21.4% 34.6%Over70 8.0% 15.4%White 90.1% 93.8%Asian .6% 0.0%AmericanIndianorAlaskaNative 4.0% 3.1%NativeHawaiianorPacificIslander 0.0% 0.0%AfricanAmerican/Black .5% 0.0%Other 4.9% 1.5%PrefernottoSay 3.5% 6.2%Latino,ChicanoorHispanicEthnicity 12.4% 2.4%

HouseholdSize

Wasco Sherman1 13.5% 13.5%2 36.5% 42.9%3 16.8% 16.7%4 16.0% 10.3%5 10.3% 7.9%6 3.4% 4.0%7 1.1% 2.4%8 1.2% 1.6%9 0.5% 0.0%10 0.5% 0.0%

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Wasco ShermanUnder$10,000 11.2% 8.6%$11,000to20,000 13.5% 13.3%$21,000to40,000 20.0% 21.9%$41,000to60,000 18.3% 16.4%$61,000to100,000 19.4% 18.0%$101,000ormore 6.0% 4.7%Prefernottosay 11.5% 17.2%SeasonalFarmWorkers Wasco ShermanYes 7.2% 1.6%No 92.8% 98.4%LanguagesSpokenatHome Wasco ShermanEnglish 88.3% 97.7%EnglishandSpanish 6.4% 1.5%Spanish 4.9% 0.0%Other .4% .8%ChildrenintheHousehold

Wasco Sherman0 33.3% 36.4%1 21.8% 22.7%2 25.3% 19.7%3 13.8% 15.2%4 3.3% 1.5%5 1.0% 1.5%6 1.0% 3.0%7 0.5% 0.0%8 0.3% 0.0%

KLICKITATANDSKAMANIACOUNTY (TotalrespondentsinKlickitatCounty:719.TotalsurveyscompletedinSpanish:10.TotalrespondentsinSkamaniaCounty:202.TotalsurveyscompletedinSpanish:1.Somepercentagesmaynottotal100%duetoparticipantsskippingquestions)

ZIPCode(UnavailableforSkamania/Klickitatresponses)

KlickitatCounty 78.1%

SeasonalFarmWorkers

Klickitat SkamaniaYes 5.8% 5.2%No 94.2% 94.8%LanguagesSpokenatHome

Klickitat SkamaniaEnglish 95.1% 97.5%Spanish 2.1% 1.0%Other* 2.8% 1.5%*Otherincludes:Italian,AmericanSignLanguage,andNativeIndian,butmostrespondentschecking“other”reportedspeaking

bothEnglishandSpanishinthehome.

Klickitat SkamaniaUnder18 8.7% 3.0%18to25 3.8% 4.1%26to35 16.9% 15.7%36to55 36% 41.6%56to70 26.5% 27.4%Over70 8.1% 8.1%

SeniorsOver65intheHousehold Wasco Sherman0 62.1% 50.8%1 18.2% 26.2%2 17.8% 23.1%3 1.0% 0.0%4 0.6% 0.0%

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SkamaniaCounty 21.9% HouseholdIncome

Klickitat SkamaniaUnder$10,000 8.4% 15.2%$11,000to20,000 12.4% 13.6%$21,000to40,000 20.1% 20.4%$41,000to60,000 22.5% 16.8%$61,000to100,000 17.6% 17.3%$101,000ormore 6.6% 5.8%Prefernottosay 12.4% 11%Gender,Age,Race,Ethnicity

Klickitat SkamaniaMale 22.5% 20.3%Female 77.4% 78.7% KlickitatSurvey

RespondentsAllKlickitatCountyResidents

SkamaniaSurveyRespondents

AllSkamaniaCountyResidents

White 91.4% 92.1% 89.3% 88.9%Asian 0.4% 0.5% 1.5% 0.7%AmericanIndianorAlaskaNative

5.7% 2.2% 8.6% 6%

NativeHawaiian/PacificIslander

0.1% 0.2% 0.0% 0.2%

AfricanAmerican/Black

0% 0.3% 0.5% 0.1%

Other 2.9% 2.4% 4.6% 2%Prefernottosay 3.6% 4.6% OfLatino/HispanicEthnicity

Klickitat SkamaniaYes 6.7% 2.6%No 93.3% 97.4%HouseholdSize(numberofindividualsresidinginthehome)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Klickitat 10.8% 31.7% 17.4% 20.7% 10.1% 4.7% 2.0% 0.7% 0.3% 1.0%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Skamania 18.9% 37.9% 8.4% 20.0% 9.5% 3.2% 1.1% 0.5% 0.5% 0ChildrenintheHousehold

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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Klickitat 20.1% 23.4% 31.8% 14.4% 6.0% 2.2% 0.2% 0.7% 1.0% 0 1 2 3 4 5

Skamania 33.3% 17.1% 30.6% 9.9% 8.1% 0.9%Seniorsover65intheHousehold

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Klickitat 60.9% 17.5% 19.0% 1.1% 1.1% 0 0 0 0.4%

0 1 2Skamania 61.4% 26.1% 12.5%

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ShoppingforFoodintheGorge

WhereResidentsShop:HoodRiverCountyAskedwheretheyprimarilygetthefoodtheyeat,thevastmajorityorrespondentsfromHoodRiverCountyselectedgrocerystores.Anadditional61.1%eatoutatsit‐downorfast‐foodrestaurantsasanadditionalprimarysourceoffood,althoughthosewhodidsopredominantlyeatoutonly1‐3timesaweek(92.8%ofsit‐downpatrons,92.7%offastfoodpatrons).

Anadditional1.7%listedfarmers’marketsandfruitstandsasaprimarysource.Lessthan1%listedtheirhomegardenasaprimaryfoodsource.

GrocerystoreshoppersoverwhelminglyvisitHoodRiverCounty’stwolargestgrocers,SafewayandRosauer’s,astheirprimaryshoppingsource.AsignificantlysmallernumbershopprimarilyatsmallergrocersMcIsaac’sinParkdaleandColumbiaMarketinCascadeLocks,inadditiontothesmallerMother’sMarketPlaceinHoodRiver.

Most(52.4%)respondentstravelonly0‐5milestogettotheirprimaryshoppingsource.34%travel6‐20miles,andanother13.6%travelmorethan20milestoshop.

Perhapsbecauseoftheircloseproximitytogrocerystores,mostrespondentsshopfrequently–73.4%shopatleastonceaweekormore.Residentswhoreporttravelingmorethan20milestogettoagrocerystoreshoplessoften;63.6%shoponlyonceortwiceamonth.

Inadditiontotheseprimaryfoodsources,respondentslistedawiderangeofsecondarysourcesoffood.

Whereelsedoyougetthefoodyoueat?(multipleresponsesallowed)

Specialtyorsmallstores(Juanita’s,etc) 47.9%Farmers’Market 45.0%FarmstandsorOrchards 33.3%Homegarden 37.6%Gleaners 2.1%Communitygarden 1.8%FoodBankorPantry 8.3%SeniorCenter 3.5%Freecommunitymeals(SoulCafé,etc) 2.0%CommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA) 5.7%Church/Communityorganizations 3.4%Conveniencestoresorgasstations 11.5%Home‐deliveredmeals(MealsonWheels) 3.0%

Inadditiontotheabovelocations,respondentshadtheopportunitytowriteinadditionalfoodsources.Theseincluded:

� AzureStandard/WaucomaFoodCo‐op

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� Foraging� Hunting� 4‐HAnimals� Communityevents� Wal‐Mart� TheDalles‐areastores:GroceryOutlet,FredMeyer� Portland‐areastores:CostCo,WholeFoods,NewSeasons,WinCo,TraderJoe’s

TheDallesandPortland‐areastoreslistedwerepredominantlyeitherbudget/discount‐pricedchains(WinCo,GroceryOutlet,CostCo)orhigh‐endgrocers(WholeFoods,NewSeasons,TraderJoe’s).

WhereResidentsShop:WascoandShermanCountyThemajorityofWascoandShermanCountysurveyrespondentsbuymostoftheirfoodatgrocerystores.Overwhelmingly,shoppersinbothcountiesvisitTheDalles’twolargestgrocers,FredMeyerandSafeway,tobuymostoftheirfood.AsignificantlysmallernumbershopatGroceryOutletandCash&Carry‐UnitedGrocers,whicharediscountstores.ThesmallermarketsinruralWascoandShermanCountycommunitieswererarelymentioned.InWascoandShermanCountiesrespectively,5.9%and2.3%alsolistedfarmers’markets,CSAsandfarmstandsasprimarysourcesoffoodpurchases.

InWascoCounty,mostrespondents(63.6%)travel0‐5milestogroceryshop.10.7%travel6‐10miles,11.5%travel11‐25and14.1%travelmorethan26miles.

Mostresidentsshopfrequently—78.9%shopatleastonceaweek.Residentswhoreporttravelingmorethan26milestoagrocerystoreshoplessfrequently—53.7%shoponlyonceortwiceamonth.Whenasked“What(ifanything)makesithardforyoutogetthefoodyouneed?,”transportationwasthefourthmostcommonresponsefromthisgroup.“Nothing”wasthemostcommonresponse(35%)followedbycostandtimeforshopping.

InShermanCounty,mostrespondents(88.8%)travelmorethan26milestogogroceryshopping.8.0%travel11‐25milesand3.2%travel0‐5miles.Likelybecauseofthedistance,47.5%ofresidentstravelingmorethan26milestoagrocerystoreindicatedthattheyshoponlyonceortwiceamonth.However,theremaining52.5%stillshopatleastonceaweek.Whenasked“What(ifanything)makesithardforyoutogetthefoodyouneed?,”transportationwasthefourthmostcommonresponsefromthisgroup.“Nothing”wasthemostcommonresponse(29.5%)followedbycostandtimeforshopping.

40.5%ofWascoCountyresidentsand65.4%ofShermanCountyresidentsreportbuyingfoodatsit‐downorfast‐foodrestaurants.However,themajorityofthoseeatingoutdosoonly1‐2timesamonth(Wasco:69.4%ofsit‐downrestaurantpatronsand64.8%offast‐foodrestaurantpatrons;Sherman:72.4%ofsit‐downrestaurantpatronsand74.7%offast‐foodrestaurantpatrons).

Inadditiontogrocerystoresasprimaryfoodsources,respondentsreportedawiderangeofsecondarysources.


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Wasco ShermanSmallorspecialtystores(GeneralStore,etc.) 35.0% 43.2%Farmers’Market 46.6% 26.4%FarmstandsorOrchards 33.1% 35.2%Homegarden 51.3% 52.0%Gleaners 4.2% 2.4%Communitygarden 3.8% 0.8%FoodBankorPantry 10.9% 8.8%SeniorCenter(includingMealsonWheels) 7.0% 14.4%FreeCommunityMeals 3.0% 1.6%CommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA) 2.7% 0.0%Church/CommunityGroups 2.9% 4.8%ConvenienceStoresorGasStations 8.5% 8.8%Scavenging 2.4% 0.8%HuntingorFishing 19.3% 25.6%Other 10.5% 12.0%Inadditiontotheabovelocations,respondentsspecifiedotherfoodsourcesthatinclude:

WascoMarket AzureStandard Organic2GoStore FriendsandFamily Portland‐areastores:Costco,WinCo,TraderJoe’s,NewSeasons CentralOregonstores:ThriftwayinMadras,SuperWal‐MartinRedmond HoodRiver‐areastores:Rosauer’s,Safeway,Mother’sMarket,Wal‐Mart,Juanita’s

WhereResidentsShop:KlickitatandSkamaniaCountyThemajorityofresidentslivinginKlickitatandSkamaniaCountygetthefoodtheyeatprimarilyfromgrocerystores.InKlickitatCounty,ofthoseresidentswhogetfoodatsitdownrestaurants,themajority(69.7%)goonlyonetotwotimespermonth.Fastfoodrestaurantsarethefoodsourcesleastaccessedbyresidents.OfKlickitatCountyresidentswhopurchasefoodatfastfoodrestaurants,62.6%purchasefastfoodonlyonetotwotimespermonth;9.8%purchasefastfoodtwotosixtimespermonth.

ThefoodstoresmostaccessedbyKlickitatCountyrespondentsincludeIGAandSentryinGoldendale,ThriftwayinWhiteSalmon,FredMeyerandGroceryOutletinTheDalles,andSafeway,Rosauer’s,andWal‐MartinHoodRiver.SpecialtyorbulkstoresthatKlickitatCountyrespondentssometimesuseincludeMother’sMarketPlaceinHoodRiverandCostco,TraderJoe’s,andWinCoinPortland,Oregon.OfallKlickitatCountyrespondents,8.6%saidtheyaccessfoodfromotherprimarysources,includingfarmers’markets,foodcoops,andhomegrownvegetableormeatfoods.

InKlickitatCounty,50.9%ofrespondentstravelbetween0‐10milestogogroceryshopping.Otherrespondentstypicallytravelfarthertoaccessgrocerystores;22.2%travelbetween11and25milesand26.9%travelmorethan26miles.

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InSkamaniaCounty,98%ofrespondentssaidtheygetmostoftheirfoodfromgrocerystores.Ofrespondentswhoaccessfoodatsitdownrestaurants,77%ofthemdosoonetotwotimespermonth.AhighernumberofSkamaniaCountyrespondents,88.4%,accessfoodatfastfoodrestaurantsbetweenonetotwotimespermonth.Asmallernumberofrespondents,11.6%,gotofastfoodrestaurantsonceperweek.

SkamaniaCountyrespondentsshopatgrocerystoressimilartothosethatKlickitatCountyrespondentsaccess,withtheexceptionofstoreslocatedinGoldendale.SkamaniaCountyrespondentsfrequentlyaccessA&JSelectinStevenson.About42%ofSkamaniaCountyrespondentstravelbetween0and10milestoaccessfoodatgrocerystores;28.9%travel11‐25milesand28.9%travelmorethan26miles.

StoreslocatedinTheDallesandPortlandthatareaccessedbyKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyrespondentsarepredominantlybudget/discountchainstoresorhigh‐endgrocers.Inadditiontotheseprimaryfoodsources,respondentslistedawiderangeofsecondarysourcesoffood.


Location KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountySpecialtyorsmallstore(Dickey’s,etc.) 46.8% 52.7%Farmers’Market 33.8% 37.1%FarmstandsorOrchards 30.4% 22.0%Homegarden 44.8% 49.5%Gleaners 4.3% 1.6%Communitygarden 1.3% 2.2%FoodBankorPantry 13.9% 20.4%SeniorCenter(includingMealsonWheels) 4.3% 8.1%Freecommunitymeals 1.5% 1.1%CommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA) 2.0% 6.5%Church/communityorganizations 3.5% 3.2%Conveniencestoresorgasstations 12.5% 15.1% Surveyrespondentshadtheopportunitytocommentonotherfoodsourcestheyaccessotherthanthesecondaryfoodlocationslistedabove.Theseinclude:

KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyHunting/fishing Hunting/fishingHomeraisedmeat HomeraisedmeatMarketStreetCafé FriendsgardensNeighborExchange NeighborExchangePotlucks TribalfishvendorWIC WorksiteAzureStandard AzureStandardFamily/friends Family/friendsSchwan’sForagingHomeorchardsLong house

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Local farm raised beef Hospital Cafeteria

Whatresidentsbuy:HoodRiverCountyJustoverhalfofsurveyrespondents(62.2%)reportthathalf,most,oralloftheirfoodpurchasesarefreshfruitsandvegetables.Thisisanencouragingfigure!

Howmuchofwhatyoubuyisfreshfruitsandvegetables?

None 0.9%

Alittle(25%) 36.9%Abouthalf(50%) 46.3%Mostofit(75%) 14.8%Allofit(100%) 1.1%

Residentswhoreporttravelingmorethan20milestogettoagrocerystore(13.6%ofrespondents)arelesslikelytopurchasefruitsandvegetables:50.4%reportthathalf,most,oralloftheirfoodpurchasesarefreshfruitsandvegetables.Amongallrespondents,91.6%sometimesoralwayschoosefoodgrownlocallywhenitisavailable.

Whenitisavailable,doyouchoosefoodgrownlocally(intheGorge)overotherfood?

Yes 54.1%No 8.4%Sometimes 37.5%

The8%ofrespondentswhocheckedNOonchoosinglocalfooddidsopredominantly–39.3%‐outofpriceconcerns.However,foranotherlargenumberofindividuals,theysimplycannotfindlocalfood.Thisrepresentsamarketopportunitytobetteridentify/label/advertiselocalfoodproductssothatpeoplewhowanttopreferencelocalproductsareabletodoso.

IfyoudoNOTchoosefoodgrownlocally(intheGorge),whynot?

Ican’tfindlocalfood 31.8%

Itismoreexpensive 39.3%Idon’tseeanyreasontobuyit 19.6%Other(pleasespecify) 15.9%

Respondentswhochecked“other”listedamultitudeofreasons,summarizedbelow:

� Chooseorganicoverlocaloutofpesticideconcerns(2)� Buyingatthestoreismoreconvenient(2)� Decidebyqualityandprice,notlocalfactor� Hadn’teverconsideredit(5)

Asfortheindividualswhosaidtheycannotfindlocalfood,theyaremorelikelytohavehouseholdincomesunder$40,000(58.1%),beLatino(43.8%),andbeunder35yearsold(62.5%).

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Forthosewhodobuylocalfood,theirpurchasingisdominatedbyfruitsandvegetables,whichreflectswhatisactuallyprimarilyproducedinthecounty.Whilefruitisubiquitousgiventhattheareaisconsideredthepearproducingcapitalofthecountry,thepercentageofindividualspurchasinglocalvegetablesisalsohigh–perhapsreflectingthefactthatthosewhodobuylocalarelookingtobuyavarietyoffreshproducts.

WhatdoyoubuythatwasgrownintheGorge?

Vegetables 74.9%Fruits 93.9%MeatorDairy 22.0%Other(pleasespecify) 6.1%

Itemslistedin“other”included:

� Eggs(10)� Herbs� Mushrooms� Juice� Honey� Bread� Anything!� Inadditiontolocalvalue‐addedproductssuchasJuanita’scornchipsandseverallocally‐

madesalsavarieties.

WhatshopperswantSurveyrespondentswereaskedtospecifywhatfoodstheywantbutareunabletoget.Theseitemsincluded:

- “Wishtherewasmorelocallygrownmeatanddairyavailableonasmallscale”- “Needmorelocalfruits,veggies,dairy”- “Notenoughorganicfoods”- “Wewouldlikerawmilkandcheese”- “Wherecanwebuylocalinthewinter?”

WhatResidentsBuy:WascoandShermanCountyMorethanhalfofWascoCountyresidents(55.5%)andShermanCountyresidents(57.2%)reportthathalf,mostoralloftheirfoodpurchasesarefreshfruitsandvegetables.However,themajorityofWascoCountyresidentsreportthatfreshfruitandvegetablescompriseonly25%oftheirfoodpurchases.


Wasco ShermanNone 1.8% .8%

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Alittle(25%) 42.7% 42.0%Abouthalf(50%) 42.2% 42.7%Mostofit(75%) 12.6% 13.0%All of it (100%) 0.7% 1.5%

Surprisingly,WascoCountyresidentstravelingmorethan26milestoagrocerystore(14.1%)areslightlymorelikelytopurchasefreshfruitsandvegetables:59.7%reportthathalf,mostoralloftheirfoodpurchasesarefreshfruitsandvegetables.ShermanCountyresidentstravelingmorethan26milestogroceryshop(88.8%)areslightlylesslikelytopurchasefreshfruitsandvegetables:56.7%reportthatfreshfruitandvegetablescomprisehalf,mostofallfoodpurchases.Theinsignificantdifferenceinfoodpurchasesbyruralandnon‐ruralcountyresidentsdemonstratethattransportationisnotabarriertoaccessingfreshproduceinWascoandShermanCounty.

93.7%ofWascoCountyrespondentsand93.9%ofShermanCountyrespondentssometimesoralwayschoosefoodgrownlocallywhenitisavailable.

Whenitisavailable,doyouchoosefoodgrownlocally(intheGorge/yourcommunity)overotherfood?

Wasco ShermanYes 60.5% 68.5%No 6.3% 6.2%Sometimes 33.2% 25.4%Expenseoflocallygrownfoodistheprimaryreasonrespondentsdonotchoosefoodgrownlocally.However,manyrespondentsalsostruggletofindlocalfood.Thisrepresentsamarketopportunitytoconnectmorelocalconsumersdirectlywithlocalproducersbyimprovingtheidentificationandadvertisingoflocalfoodproducts.Inaddition,effortsthatencouragefoodstorestoselllocallygrowfoodscanhelpresidentswhopreferpurchasingandconsuminglocalproducts..

Ifyoudonotchoosefoodgrownlocally,why?

Wasco ShermanIcan’tfindlocalfood 18.8% 26.7%Itismoreexpensive 45.8% 40.0%Idon’tseeanyreasontobuyit 13.5% 20.0%Other(pleasespecify) 30.2% 20.0%

Residentsinbothcountieswhoreceivegovernmentassistanceforfoodarelesslikelytopurchaselocallygrownfood:9.2%inWascoCountyand7.8%inShermanCountydonotpurchaselocallygrownfood.Thiscomparesto6.3%and6.2%(respectively)ofgeneralsurveyrespondentswhodonotpurchaselocallygrownfoods.

Severalcommentsfromresidentswhomentioned“other”reasonsfornotchoosingfoodgrownlocallyareincludedbelow:

Ibuybasedonpriceandquality.Ipaynoattentiontowherefoodisfrom. Iamathriftyshopper,soIusuallygrowmyown,getitfreeorbuythebest‐priceitems.

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It’snotwelladvertisedwhenfoodislocallygrown.Usuallyitismuchmoreexpensive.Ifitisgoingtocostmore,thentheconsumerneedstobeawareofthebenefit.

Idon’talwaysknowwhichiswhich. Sometimesitisnoteasttoget. Time.Ifitisinastoreoratthefarmers’market,webuy…otherwiseno.

WascoCountyresidentswhocannotfindlocalfoodarelesslikelytoknowofanylocalfarmers’markets(53.3%comparedto22.5%).Theyalsopurchasefewerfreshfruitsandvegetables:50%reportfoodpurchasescontaining“alittle”freshfruitsandvegetables.Theyaremorelikelytoreceivefoodfromgovernmentassistanceprograms(60%),morelikelytoreporthouseholdincomesunder$20,000(47%)andmorelikelytobelessthan35yearsold(55.6%).

ShermanCountyresidentswhocannotfindlocalfoodarelesslikelytoknowofanylocalfarmers’markets(66.7%comparedto31.9%).Theyalsopurchasefewerfreshfruitsandvegetables:75%reportfoodpurchasescontaining“alittle”freshfruitsandvegetables.Although50%ofthisgroupreportreceivingfoodfromgovernmentassistanceprograms,limitedsurveydatamakesitdifficulttocorrelatehouseholdincome,ageandthechallengeoffindinglocalfoodinShermanCounty.

Surveyrespondentsspecifiedthefoodstheyareunabletofind:

Iwouldliketohavemoresourcesoflocallyproducedfood.Itrytoeataslocallyaspossible.Itisdifficulttofindaffordablesourcesoflocallyproducedpoultryanddairyproducts.Itisalsodifficulttofindlocalproduceinthewinter.

Wishmorelocal,organicfoodwasavailable.Grass‐fedmeat,eggsanddairywouldbegreat,too.

Iwouldpreferaclosesourceoflocalfood(suchasfoodstand)thatisopendaily.Or,morelocalfoodsingrocerystoresforwhenfarmers’marketisclosed.

Don’tknowwheretofindlocalbeeforpork. Iwouldlovetohaveaccesstofreshproduceandmeatlocally.

WhatResidentsBuy:KlickitatandSkamaniaCountyThemajorityofrespondentsinKlickitatandSkamaniaCounty,44.4%and43.8%respectively,indicatedthatabouthalfofthefoodstheybuyarefruitsandvegetables.Aslightlylowerpercentageofrespondentssaidthatfruitsandvegetablesaccountforabout25%ofthefoodstheybuy.


Amount KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyNone 0.8% 2.5%Alittle(25%) 41.7% 42.3%Abouthalf(50%) 44.4% 43.8%Mostofit(75%) 12.4% 10.9%Allofit(100%) 0.7% 0.5% Whenitisavailable,doyouchoosefoodgrownlocally(intheGorge)overotherfood?

Response KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyYes 58.5% 56.2%

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No 6.6% 9.0%Sometimes 34.9% 34.8%Costistheprimaryreasonrespondentsfrombothcountiesgavefornotchoosinglocallygrownfoodoverotherfood.Almost44%ofKlickitatCountyrespondentsand51.3%ofSkamaniaCountyrespondentssaidtheydonotchooselocallygrownfoodsbecauseofthecost.

IfyoudoNOTchoosefoodgrownlocally(intheGorge),whynot?

Response KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyIcan’tfindlocalfood 26.5% 23.1%Itismoreexpensive 43.9% 51.3%Idon’tseeanyreasontobuyit 15.3% 5.1%Other(pleasespecify) 26.5% 25.6% Respondentswhocheckedother:

KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyBuymostaffordablefoods PoorQualityShopinbiggercity LackofavailabilityQualityNolabelinginstoresTimeDon’tlikeorganiclocalfoodGrowownfoodDistancetoofar Almost60%ofKlickitatCountyrespondentswhodonotbuylocalfoodbecauseitismoreexpensivealsostatedthatcostmakesithardforthemtopurchasethefoodtheyneedingeneral.Ofrespondentswhodonotbuylocallygrownfood,66.7%haveaccessedfoodstamps,54.2%haveusedWomen,InfantsandChildren(WIC)services,and66.7%haveusedfreeorreducedschoollunchservices.Mostrespondents,51.2%,whocannotaffordlocallygrownfoodsarebetweentheagesof36and55.Oftheserespondents,25%makeunder$10,000peryear;7.5%makebetween$11,000and$20,000peryear;and22.5%makebetween$21,000and$40,000peryear.

InSkamaniaCounty,77.8%ofrespondentswhostatedtheydonotbuylocallygrownfoodsbecauseofthecostalsofindithardtogetthefoodtheyneedingeneral.Respondentswhodonotpurchaselocalfoodsarelikelytoaccessfoodserviceprograms;83.3%haveatsomepointintheirlivesaccessedfoodstampsand66.7%haveusedWICservices.Over47%ofrespondentswhocannotaffordlocallygrownfoodsarebetweentheagesof36and55.Morethan21%makelessthan$10,000peryear;10.5%makebetween$11,000and$20,000peryear;and26.3%makebetween$21,000and$40,000peryear.

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BarriersGorgeresidentsfaceingettingthefoodtheyneedThefactorsthatimpactaccesstofoodsthroughouttheUnitedStatesarepersistentlyrelatedtofoodinsecurityandhunger.Low‐incomefamilieslivinginruralareasliketheColumbiaRiverGorgeexperiencechallengesinaccessingfood,includingcost,distancetofood,andlackoftransportation.

Onanationalscale,theConsumerPriceIndex(CPI)forallfoodisforecasttoincrease2.0to3.0%in2009—lowtomoderatefoodpriceinflation.77Aslowercommodityandenergycostscombinewithweakerdomesticandglobaleconomiestopullinflationdownfrom2008levels,pressureonretailfoodpriceshassubsided.Food‐at‐homepricesareprojectedtoincrease1.0to2.0%,whilefood‐away‐from‐homepricesareprojectedtoincrease3.5to4.5%in2009.Theall‐foodCPIincreased5.5%between2007and2008,thehighestannualincreasesince1990.

Howeverin2009,thefoodCPIisbelowthepreviousyear'slevel(September2008)asdeclinesinmeat,dairyandproducepriceshavepushedthefoodCPItonegativelevels,whichhasnotoccurredin42years.AccordingtotheEconomicResearchService,asenergypricesriseoverallconsumerinflationshouldsoonreturntopositiveannuallevelsandputanendtotherecentdeflationaryperiod.

Althoughfoodpricesdecreasedin2009,foodbudgetsarestillsignificantforlow‐andmiddle‐incomehouseholds.

Barriers:HoodRiverCounty

What(ifanything)makesithardforyoutogetthefoodyouneed?(checkallthatapply)

Nothing 36.7%

Cost 39.1%Timeforshopping 20.0%Transportation 11.8%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 8.7%Other(pleasespecify) 4.7%Residentsovertheageof70:Nothing 58.2%Cost 27.3%Timeforshopping 5.5%Transportation 16.4%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 3.6%Other(pleasespecify) 0.0%ResidentsofLatinoethnicity:Nothing 28.2%Cost 46.6%Timeforshopping 25.8%Transportation 16.0%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 6.7%Other(pleasespecify) 1.2%

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Residentswithhouseholdincomeunder$40,000:Nothing 20.2%Cost 59.2%Timeforshopping 15.9%Transportation 18.5%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 6.4%Other(pleasespecify) 3.0%

Seniors,low‐income,andLatinoresidentsallreporttransportationasabarrierathigherratesaswell.Ofallfoodconcerns,costwasthetopissueacrossallgroups.

Otherspecifiedbarrierswere:

- Costofgas(2)- Timeforpreparingfood- Distancetostores(3)- Freshfruitsandvegetablesaremoreexpensive- Can’tfindit- Thereisadifferencebetweenwantandneed‐IWANTorganic,butcan'talwaysaffordit.As

farasNEED‐we'renotinanydangerofgoinghungry- Allofthesearetrueoccasionally,butnothinglikeotherslessfortunate.- Seasons–hardtoeatfreshinwinterandspring(3)

BarrierstoFarmers’MarketshoppinginHoodRiverCountyCostwasalsoperceivedasanissuewithregardstolocalfarmers’markets,albeitnotaslargeofoneasforall‐aroundfoodbarriers.Respondentswhosaidthattheydonotshopatlocalfarmers’marketswereaskedtosaywhy:

IfyoudidNOTcheck"Farmers'Market"above,whynot?(checkallthatapply)

Idon’tknowofanylocalFarmers’Markets 39.0%

Theyaretoofaraway 13.0%Idon’thavetime 16.7%I’mnotinterestedinwhattheysell 7.7%Theyaretooexpensive 14.6%Other(pleasespecify) 22.5%Thehighnumberofrespondentswhodon’tknowofanylocalmarketsshowsaclearneedformoreandbettermarketoutreachforthecounty’stwofarmers’markets.Ofthe147respondentswhoreportednotknowinganylocalmarkets,theywerealsomorelikelytoreportdifficultyfindinglocalfoodingeneral(43.9%)andalmosttwiceaslikelytobeLatino(53.3%).

Otherspecifiedreasonsfornotshoppingatfarmers’markets:

- Time/locationisinconvenient,hardtofind,outoftheusualroutine(17)- Forgettogo(5)- Distanceistoofarfromhome(9)- Homegardenproducesplenty/thesameproducts(13)

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- Otherfarmstandsororchardsareclosertohome(10)- Justdon’tgo/don’tknow(10)- NoEnglish(2)- Ihaveseenthesmallmarkets,butInevergobecauseIdon'tspeakEnglishandI'mscared.- Can’tcountonmarkethavingwhatyouneed(2)- Parking(1)

Barriers:WascoandShermanCounty

What,ifanything,makesithardforyoutogetthefoodyouneed?(checkallthatapply)

Wasco ShermanNothing 32.9% 33.1%Cost 37.8% 29.0%Timeforshopping 23.1% 25.8%Transportation 8.4% 19.4%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 11.4% 5.6%Other(pleasespecify) 8.7% 12.9%Of the residents who report cost as a barrier to accessing food, most (25.9% in Wasco County and 25.7% in Sherman County) have yearly household incomes between $21,000 and $40,000. This income bracket places a family of four below the poverty line. Residentswithhouseholdincomeunder$40,000

Wasco ShermanNothing 22.1% 29.6%Cost 55.4% 38.9%Timeforshopping 14.0% 18.5%Transportation 15.1% 27.8%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 8.9% 3.7%Other(pleasespecify) 8.1% 11.1%

2009FederalPovertyGuidelines

PersonsinHousehold 1 $10,830 2 $14,5703 $18,3104 $22,0505 $25,7906 $29,530

Residentsovertheageof70

Wasco ShermanNothing 43.8% 50%Cost 25.0% 16.7%

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Timeforshopping 6.3% 5.6%Transportation 22.9% 22.2%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 6.3% 0.0%Other(pleasespecify) 8.3% 22.2%

Residentstravelingmorethan26milestogroceryshop

Wasco ShermanNothing 35.0% 29.5%Cost 32.5% 28.6%Timeforshopping 23.8% 27.6%Transportation 13.8% 20.0%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 6.3% 3.8%Other(pleasespecify) 11.3% 14.3%

ResidentsofLatino,ChicanoorHispanicethnicity*

Nothing 32.5%Cost 42.9%Timeforshopping 19.5%Transportation 7.8%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 10.4%Other(pleasespecify) 3.9%

Responses from Wasco and Sherman Counties were combined given the limited number of responses from Sherman County. Commentson“other”specifiedbarriersaresummarizedbelow:

- Seasons- Expensivetraveldistancetoshop- Disability/poorhealth- Energyforshopping- VirtuallynofruitorvegetablesavailableatsmallstoresinShermanCounty- Inconvenienthoursoffarmstandsandfarmers’markets- Hardtofindorganicfood- Lackoflocalvariety- Don’tgototownthatoften.Freshfoodsperishtooquickly.- Weather- Havingaplacetopreparefood- NohealthyrestaurantoptionsinTheDalles.Everythingisafastfoodfranchise!- Pickyaboutquality- Limitedselectionofgood,freshproduce- Nomotivationtoprepareorcookfood- Nonaturalfoodstores

TheOregonFoodBankVoicesprojectincludesthevoicesoflow‐incomeOregoniansinthediscussionaboutwhoishungryandwhatneedstobedonetoendhunger.InSeptember2009,OFB

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coordinatedconversationswithemergency‐foodpantryclientsinTheDallesandMaupintolearnaboutwhatishappeningintheircommunitiesandtoheartheirideas.

AccordingtoOFB,listeningtoourfellowOregonians—thosewhoreceiveemergencyfoodandlivewiththeramificationsofhungerandpoverty—makesusmoresuccessfulinaddressingtherootcausesofhunger.ThecompleteVoicesprojectwillbeavailablein2010.ThefollowingiseditedconversationfromtheOFBVoicesprojecttoprovideasnapshotofthebarriersresidentsexperienceinaccessingfoodinSouthWascoCounty.Althoughresidentsdonotcommonlyreporttransportationasabarrier,transportationtoaffordablefoodstoresisanissueforextremelylow‐incomehouseholds.

KatelovesdrivingdowntheroadandrealizingtherearestillsmallplaceslikeMaupinintheworld.Butforhersmallfamily,itisnotagoodplace.Thereisnoafterschoolcareforchildren.Nocounseling.Herdaughterhasspecialneeds,butKatehastodrivetoanothertowntogethermedication.Forasingleparentwithtwochildren,therearenecessitiesthishouseholdcannothave.SNAPbenefitsdisappearquicklybecauseofhighfoodprices.Once,KatewentwithoutgroceriesfortwomonthsuntilshefinallycaughtaridetoTheDalles.“IfIhadagoodcarandcouldaffordgas,drivingtoTheDalleswouldbenothing.”

BarrierstoFarmers’MarketShoppinginWascoandShermanCountyAlthoughcostisaperceivedissueinregardstolocalfarmers’markets,itisnotthemostcommonbarriertofarmers’marketshopping.Respondentswhodonotshopatlocalfarmers’marketsgavethefollowingreasons:

IfyoudidNOTcheck"Farmers'Market"above,whynot?(checkallthatapply)

Wasco ShermanIdon’tknowofanylocalfarmers’markets 22.5% 31.9%Theyaretoofaraway 9.3% 47.9%Idon’thavetime 19.9% 20.2%I’mnotinterestedinwhattheysell 5.1% 4.3%Theyaretooexpensive 22.5% 11.7%Other(pleasespecify) 39.3% 17.0%

Thehighnumberofrespondentswhodon’tknowofanylocalmarketsdemonstratesaclearneedforeffectiveoutreachforTheDallesFarmers’Market,theMaupinFarmers’Market,theGorgeGrownFoodNetworkMobileMarketsiteinDufurandtheRufusFarmers’Market.RufusFarmers’Marketopenedforitsfirstseasonin2009,whichcouldexplainwhymanyShermanCountyresidentsdonotknowofanylocalfarmers’marketsandcommonlyreportthatmarketsaretoofaraway.

OftheWascoCountyrespondentswhodonotknowofanylocalmarkets,theyaremorelikelytoreportdifficultyfindinglocalfoodingeneral(34.8%comparedto18.8%).Incontrast,ShermanCountyrespondentswhodonotknowofanylocalmarketsdonotstruggletofindlocalfood:90%ofthisgroupstillchoosefoodgrownlocally.ThisdemonstratesanunmetdemandforlocalfoodinShermanCountygrocerystoresandfarm‐directmarkets.

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Otherspecifiedreasonsfornotshoppingatfarmers’marketsaresummarizedbelow:

- Homegarden- Inconvenienttimeandday- Notransportation- Disability/handicap- Lackofconsistencyinselection,limitedselection- Justbeginningtouselocalproduce- Forget- Toolazytostop- WejoinedaCSAanddonotneedtogoasoften- EasiertogeteverythingIneedatoneplace.Savesgas.- Thelocalfruitstandofferssimilaritemsatmoreconvenienttimes.- Notwelladvertised,don'tknowwhenit’sopen- Seasonal,noyear‐roundmarketinthearea- Haveanorchard/farm- Onlyoneinthearea- Justhaven'tthoughtofitasanoption- Qualitynotalwaysthebest

Barriers:KlickitatandSkamaniaCounty

About40%ofKlickitatCountyrespondentsand34%ofSkamaniaCountyrespondentsindicatedthatnothingmakesithardforthemtoaccessfood,whichmeansthatmorethanhalfofrespondentsintheirrespectivecountiesexperienceatleastonebarrierinaccessingthefoodtheyneed.AmongKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyrespondents,36.7%and44.4%respectively,statedthatcostisabarrierinaccessingfood.Otherbarriersincludetransportation,timeforshopping,andrespondents’difficultyinfindingthefoodstheyneed.Whiletimeforshoppingisthesecondmostcommonbarrierforrespondentsfrombothcounties,transportationissuesalsoimpedetheiraccesstofood.

AccordingtotheCommunityFoodSecurityCoalition,“becausepopulationdensitiesarelowandstoreswidelyscatteredinruralareas,distancetomarketisasignificantbarrierforlow‐income,elderly,anddisabledresidents.”78InKlickitatandSkamaniaCounty,mostresidentsdohavevehicles,butforthoselivinginthemoreruralareasofthecountieswhodonothavetransportation,theyexperienceproblemsinaccessingfoodsources.

Transportationissuescause7.4%ofKlickitatCountyrespondentsand15.9%ofSkamaniaCountyrespondentstohavedifficultyinaccessingthefoodtheyneed.Amongsurveyrespondentsovertheageof70,4.2%inKlickitatCountyand7.1%inSkamaniaCountyfindtransportationabarriertoaccessingfood.Respondentsfrombothcountieswhohaveahouseholdincomelessthan$40,000peryearalsoexperiencedifficultyinaccessingfoodduetotransportationissues;10.3%inKlickitatCountyand20%inSkamaniaCounty.Seniors,low‐income,andLatinoresidentsallreporttransportationasabarrierathigherrates.However,ofallfoodconcerns,costwasthetopissueacrossallgroups.

What(ifanything)makesithardforyoutogetthefoodyouneed?(checkallthatapply)

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Barrier KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyNothing 39.1% 33.9%Cost 36.7% 44.4%Timeforshopping 22.3% 19.6%Transportation 7.4% 15.9%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 9.8% 9.0%Other(pleasespecify) 7.0% 6.3% Respondentsovertheageof70:

Barrier Klickitat County Skamania County Nothing 68.8% 50.0% Cost 8.3% 42.9% Time for shopping 8.3% 7.1% Transportation 4.2% 7.1% Cannot find the foods I want or need 8.3% 0 Other (please specify) 6.3% 0

RespondentsofLatinoethnicity:

Barrier KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyNothing 37.5% 0Cost 55.0% 50.0%Timeforshopping 5.0% 50.0%Transportation 2.5% 25.0%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 12.5% 0Other(pleasespecify) 5.0% 0 Respondentswithhouseholdincomeunder$40,000:

Barrier KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyNothing 30.5% 26.7%Cost 50.0% 56.7%Timeforshopping 14.9% 8.9%Transportation 10.3% 20.0%CannotfindthefoodsIwantorneed 8.8% 5.6%Other(pleasespecify) 5.7% 7.8% Otherbarriersrespondentsspecified:

KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyDistance DistanceCostofgas CostofgasLimitedorganicfoods LackofstoragespaceLackofspecialtystores/foods(vegetarian,glutenfree)

Lackofspecialtystores/foods(low‐fat,noaspartame,foodallergies)

Don’tknowhowtocook OtherexpensesHealthproblems

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LackofconnectionwithlocalfarmersTimeforcookingWeatherLackoflocalproduceduringoff‐season

BarrierstoFarmers’MarketShoppinginKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyCostwasalsoperceivedasanissueinregardstorespondentsaccessinglocalfarmers’markets.Respondentswhostatedthattheydonotshopatlocalfarmers’marketswereaskedwhy.ThemostcommonreasonrespondentsinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountygavefornotshoppingatlocalfarmers’marketswasthattheydidnotknowofany.Otherimportantbarriersrespondentsexperienceinaccessingfarmers’marketsincludecostanddistance.

IfyoudidNOTcheckFarmersMarket”above,whynot?(checkallthatapply)

Response KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyIdon’tknowofanylocalfarmers’markets 36.6% 41.7%Theyaretoofaraway 17.2% 26.5%Idon’thavetime 14.9% 11.4%I’mnotinterestedinwhattheysell 7.9% 3.0%Theyaretooexpensive 15.9% 16.7%Other(pleasespecify) 27.3% 22.0%OfKlickitatCountyrespondentswhoindicatedthattheydonotshopatfarmers’marketsbecauseofexpense,70.3%saidthatcostmakesithardtogetthefoodtheyneedingeneral.Almost50%ofrespondentssaidthatone‐fourthofthegroceriestheypurchasearefruitsandvegetables;42.9%saidthatabouthalfofthefoodstheybuyarefruitsandvegetables.Morethan40%ofrespondentsindicatedthattheyeatfruitsandvegetablesonetosixtimesperweek.

ForKlickitatCountyrespondentswhodonotbuyfoodatfarmers’markets,thelackoffruitandvegetablepurchaseandconsumptioningeneralmayberelatedtotheireconomicsituation.Ofrespondentswhodonotshopatfarmers’markets,14.7%ofthehouseholdsmakelessthan$10,000eachyear;18.7%makebetween$11,000to20,000peryear;and28%make$21,000to$40,000peryear.Almost10%ofKlickitatCountyrespondentswhodonotshopatfarmers’marketsstatedthattheygowithouteatingamealatleastonceamonthduetolackoffoodresources.Over8%oftheserespondentsgowithouteatingamealtwotofourtimespermonthand5.5%gowithouteatingfiveormoretimespermonth.One‐fourthoftherespondentsstatedthattheyskipmealssothattheirchildrencaneat.Ofrespondentswhodonotshopatfarmers’markets,morethan61%haveatsomepointreceivedgovernmentfoodassistanceprograms.

OfSkamaniaCountyrespondentswhostatedthattheydonotshopatfarmers’marketsduetocost,almost64%statedthatcostingeneralmakesithardtogetthefoodtheyneed.Almost48%ofrespondentsstatedthatone‐fourthofthegroceriestheybuyarefruitsandvegetables;43%saidthatabouthalfofthefoodstheybuyarefruitsandvegetables.Almost64%ofrespondentssaidthattheyeatfruitsandvegetablesonetosixtimesperweek.

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AsinKlickitatCounty,thelackoffruitandvegetablepurchaseandconsumptioninSkamaniaCountymayberelatedtoincome.OfSkamaniaCountyrespondentswhodonotshopatfarmers’markets,19%ofthehouseholdsmakelessthan$10,000eachyear;14.3%makebetween$11,000to20,000peryear;and28.6%make$21,000to$40,000peryear.Over18%ofSkamaniaCountyrespondentswhodonotshopatfarmers’marketsstatedthattheygowithouteatingamealatleastonceamonthduetolackoffoodresources.About4.5%ofrespondentsgowithouteatingamealtwotofourtimespermonthand9.1%gowithouteatingfiveormoretimespermonth.Over33%oftheSkamaniaCountyrespondentsstatedthattheyskipmealssothattheirchildrencaneat.Ofrespondentswhodonotshopatfarmers’markets,morethan59%haveatsomepointreceivedgovernmentfoodassistanceprograms.

KlickitatandSkamaniaCountyrespondentcommentsaboutshoppingatlocalfarmers’markets:

“Foodhasgoneoutofreachformanyduetocost.Iamawiseshopper:usecoupons,buycow,gardenandwestillstrugglewithaone‐incomehouseholdwiththreespecialneedkids.[Wehavea]limitedincomeandminimalresources.”

“Iftherecouldbeafarmersmarketclosetous,onethatwouldnotcostthatmuchand/orwecouldgetcouponsorlowcost,Iwouldgoinaheartbeat.”

Otherspecifiedreasonsfornotshoppingatfarmers’markets:

KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyTimeandlocationoffarmers’marketislimited/inconvenient

Timeandlocationoffarmers’marketislimited/inconvenient

Growownproduce(garden/orchard/farm) Growownproduce(garden/orchard/farm)Donothavewhatisneeded OlderAdultscannotaffordthepricesDonottakefoodstamps PoorQualityDonotshoponSaturdaySabbath Prefertosupportlocalstoresratherthana

personToobusyonweekends DifficulttoparkatfarmersmarketlocationsNotinthehabit,don’tthinkaboutit,forgetaboutit ForgetFarmers’markethaslimitedproduce(Goldendale,WA) Awayonweekends,timeinconvenientDon’tknowqualityofproduce(pesticides,etc.),sanitations,inspectionsNomarketwithinwalkingdistance

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GorgeCommunityVoicesonShoppingforFoodBelowarequotesfromlocalresidentsfromcommunitygroupdiscussionsonshoppingforfood

intheColumbiaRiverGorge.

HoodRiverCounty

“MostofthetimeIshopatthestoreclosesttowhereIlive,butitdoesn’thavemuchthatislocal.”“Weneedlocalfoodmoredispersed,notjustatfarmers’markets”“It’scommonforpeopletotravelintoPortlandforworkanddoshoppingwhilethere.”“I’mshockedatthejumpinfoodprices‐$1hereortherestartstoreallyaddup.”“TheintegrityoffoodissomethingIpayattentionto–pragmaticsfirst,value/culturelater.”“Weneedtoreachpeoplewhodon’thavethetransportationtogettothemarket.”“Iwantalarger,morecentralfarmersmarket‐includingbakedgoods,cannedgoods,meats,flowers,cheese‐alllocallygrownintheGorge.”“Ihaveseenthesmallmarkets,butInevergobecauseIdon'tspeakEnglishandI'mscared.”“Ireallywanttobuyandsupportlocalfood,butcostisabigissueinmylifeandlocalfoodisoftenmoreexpensive.”“Iwouldliketoseethegrocerystoresstepupandsupportevenmorelocalorganicproductsincludingmeatanddairytokeepeconomicgrowthinthelocalarea.”“QualityfoodhereintheGorgeisrelativelymoreexpensivethananywhereelseIhavelived‐alllargercities.”“Lowcostveggiesatthedifferentgrocerystoreswouldbegreat.Ithinkthe"farmers’market"fruitsandveggiesaretooexpensiveforalotoffolks.”WascoandShermanCounties

“Ithinkourgrocerystoresshouldbeforcedtoselllocallygrown.”

“Whyisthelocalfoodatthefarmers'marketsounaffordablewhenitissupposedtobelocalandnottravelasfarandmostisn'tevenorganic?MostofthefoodthereIcannotafford.IbuywhatIcanbecauseIwanttosupportthecause.”

“Webuylotsoffreshfruitatthegrocerystore.Itaccountsforalargepartofmygrocerybilleachweek.Ithinkproduceisthemostexpensivepartofmyshopping.Ineedtobemoreproactiveinutilizinglocalfarmers’markets,andIrecognizethis.”

“Wouldlikemoreatthelocalstore.Freshfruitsandmostvegetablesrequirea2+hourtrip.Notenoughselectionlocally.”

“Iwouldlovetoseeanorganicmarketwithfreshfoodsavailablefortakeout.”

“Idomybesttoprovidehealthy,wholesomefoodformydaughterandmyself.Imustadmitthatfood

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costisthemajorissueinselectingfoodratherthansources.Ifmyeconomicsituationwastochange,Iwouldpreferlocal,organicallygrownfoods.”

“Iwouldliketoseeagreatervarietyofstoresandfoodtypes.”

“Iwouldloveformyfamilytoeatorganicfoodbutitistooexpensive.IdoeverythingIcantoletmydaughtereathealthy,whichdoesnotallowmuchroomformeandherfathertoeathealthyduetocost.Iwouldalsoloveiftherewasalow‐costfarmers’market.”

“TheDallesFarmers’Marketiswonderful.Pricesareveryreasonableandit'swonderfultohavethatavailableatthecityparkeachweek.”

“Wouldlovetohaveafullyexpandedfarmers’/organic(affordable)marketinTheDallesarea.Idon'twanttodrivetoHoodRivertogetdecentfreshproduce.”

“ThelackoforganicfruitsandveggiesinWascoCountyisterrible.”

“Iwouldlovetoseeafarmers’market,freshfruitstandorotherwaystogetavarietyoffreshfruitsandveggiesavailableinShermanCountywithouthavingtodriveallthewaytoTheDallestopurchasethoseitems.”

“Siavecesnohaylasuficientevariedaddeverdurasylacarneavecesesmuycara.”(Sometimesthereisn’ttherightvarietyofvegetables.Andsometimesmeatisveryexpensive.)

“Miespososi,estrabajadoragricolatemporal.Yohenotadoquelasfrutasyverdurasfrescassonlasmascaras,tambiencualquieracomidasaludableynutritivaesmuchamascaraquelascomidasnotansaludables.”(Myhusbandisaseasonalfarmworker.I’venoticedthatthefreshfruitsandvegetablesarethemostexpensive.Alsotheotherhealthyandnutritiousfoodismoreexpensivethanthefoodsthataren’thealthy.)

KlickitatandSkamaniaCounties

“Sometimesthosefoodsthatarehealthierforyouarealittlemoreexpensiveandsomeofthethingsthatarenotsogoodforyouarecheaper.Sopeoplehaveatendencytoleantowardsthatbecausetheyareonalimitedincome.”

“Whenyougobuyfruitsandvegetables,theyareveryexpensiveifyoudon’thaveawaytogrowagarden.Alotofpeopledon’t.Theyliveinapartments,theydon’thavethatresource.”

“Ithinkpeopletendtoleantowardsunhealthyfoodbecausethat’swhattheycanaffordfortheirfamily.”

“Weeatsounhealthybecausethecheaperfoodsaretheunhealthiest.”

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CountybyCountyGroceryStoreAssessmentAgrocerystoreassessmentwasconductedtohelpassesstheavailabilityandaffordabilityoffoodinretailoutletsthatresidentsaccessintheregion.Allconvenienceandgrocerystoresprovidedpermissionfortheassessmenttobeconducted.Theassessmentincludedtheuseofasurveyinstrumentthatlistedfoodsthatarecommonlyeatenbylow‐incomehouseholdsandthatmeetthefederaldietaryguidelinesandFoodPyramidservingrecommendationsforafamilyoffour,whichmakesuptheThriftyMealPlan(TMP).79

Accesstofoodcanoftenbedifficultforpeoplewholiveinruralareas,especiallyforthosewhodonothaveaccesstotransportationorarelivingbelowthepovertyline.ThegrocerystoresurveywasconductedusingtheUSDA’sEconomicResearchService(ERS)FoodStoreSurveyInstrument80.

TheUSDA’sThriftyFoodPlan(TFP)wasthebasisforthesurvey.TheUSDAselectedthefooditemsontheTFPtorepresentfoodsthatareeconomicalforlow‐incomehouseholds.Theitemsalsomeetfederaldietaryguidelinesandservingrecommendationsforafamilyoffour(twoadultsages20to50,andtwochildrenages3to5and6to11)foroneweek(seeappendix).81ThisgrocerystoreassessmentwascompletedforallGorgecounties,andoccurredbetweenJune2009andMarch2010;pricesreflectmost‐recentatthetimeavailabledata.

HoodRiverCountyThetotalsbelowrepresenttheweekly,monthlyandyearlytotalsfortheTFPinfourHoodRiverCountygrocerystores.

FoodCostComparisonsforaFamilyofFour Weekly1 Monthly2 Annually3Store1 $135.40 $541.61 $6499.32Store2 $150.45 $623.05 $7476.57Store3 $156.14 $633.89 $7606.74Store4 $135.39 $541.58 $6498.91ThelowestpricefoodontheTFPinHoodRiverCountyis$135.39foroneweekor$6,498.91foroneyear,withanothergrocerystorehavingcomparableprices(adifferenceinonecentfortheweeklyprice.)Thehighestpriceintheregionis$156.14foroneweekand$7,606.74foroneyear.Thepricedifferencebetweenthetwostoresis$1107.83(a14.6%increase.)AnimportantfactortoconsiderishowTFPpricesinHoodRiverCountycomparetotheTFPpricessetbytheUSDAERS.

1 Weekly total based on quantities from USDA and store prices plus cost to purchase missing items from nearest full grocery (average price of individual missing items summed for each store) 2 Monthly cost of Thrifty Meal Plan ((Grand weekly total x 4) plus federal mileage (mileage x .55) to purchase missing items once a month from nearest full grocery store) 3 Yearly cost of Thrifty Meal Plan (monthly total x 12)

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TFPReferencePricesonaNationalLevelforaFamilyofFour

Weekly Monthly AnnuallyDecember20094 $133.40 $577.90 $6934.80March20105 $135.50 $587.10 $7045.20

Two different prices are listed as the survey was conducted in December of 2009 and March of 2010. PercentageDifferenceBetweenLocalandNationalTFPPrices(Annual)

TFPDec2009 TFPMarch2010Store1 ‐6.3% ‐7.7%Store2 7.8% 6.1%Store3 9.7% 8.0%Store4 ‐6.3% ‐7.8%BecausethecostoftheThriftyFoodPlanishigherintwoofthefourstoressurveyedthantheThriftyFoodPlanreferencecost,halfofthestoresinHoodRiverCountyarenotaffordableforlow‐incomehouseholds.Inaddition,twoofthestoresweremissingitemsfromtheTFPshoppinglist.Residentswholivenearthesetwostoresmusttraveltoaccessafull‐servicegrocerystoretocompletetheirshoppingatleastonceamonth,addingtothecostoffood.

Itempricesvaryatdifferentstoresthroughouttheregion.Thechartbelowdemonstratesthepricediscrepanciesonseveralitems.

ItemPriceComparisons:USDAShoppingListQuantitiesforOneWeek

Potatoes(fresh)

Apples(fresh)

Milk(1%)

Beef(ground,lean)

Store1 $2.72 $0.99 $5.60 $10.99Store2 $4.18 $1.61 $6.73 $13.35Store3 $3.87 $1.49 $6.95 $11.77Store4 $3.66 $0.61 $6.50 $11.77

Accessingaffordablefoodisrelatedtothechallengesruralgrocerystoreownersface.Becausefooddistributorsaddasurchargetoorders,manyruralstoresareunabletoaffordweeklydeliveries—makingsupplyoffreshproducedifficult.Someoftheruralstoresthatparticipatedinthesurveyaresuffering,whichpresentsanotherbarrierforlow‐incomefamiliesandcommunityfoodsecurity.

WascoandShermanCountyThetotalsbelowrepresenttheweekly,monthlyandyearlytotalsfortheTFPineightWascoandShermanCountygrocerystores.

4 Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, December 2009

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FoodCostComparisonsforaFamilyofFour

Weekly6 Monthly7 Annually8Store1 165.28 700.61 8407.32Store2 157.33 672.88 8074.56Store3 176.09 720.09 8641.08Store4 186.89 781.00 9372.00Store5 174.57 731.28 8775.36Store6 154.73 661.16 7933.92Store7 98.48 393.92 4727.04Store8 114.69 458.76 5505.12ThelowestpricefoodontheTFPinthetwocountiesis$98.48foroneweekor$4,727.04foroneyear.Thehighestpriceintheregionis$186.89foroneweekand$9,372.00foroneyear.Thepricedifferencebetweenthetwostoreissignificant(nearly50%),especiallyforthoselivingbelowthepovertyline.AnimportantfactortoconsiderishowtheTFPpricesinWascoandShermanCountiescomparetotheTFPpricessetbytheUSDAERS.

TFPReferencePricesonaNationalLevelforaFamilyofFour

June20099 134.60 583.40 7000.80Oct.200910 133.30 577.40 6928.80

Two different prices are listed as the survey was conducted in June and October of 2009. PercentageDifferenceBetweenLocalandNationalTFPPrices(Annual)

TFPJune2009 TFPOct.2009Store1 20.1% 21.3%Store2 15.3% 16.5%Store3 23.4% 24.7%Store4 33.9% 35.3%Store5 25.3% 26.7%Store6 13.3% 14.5%Store7 ‐32.5% ‐31.8%Store8 ‐21.4% ‐20.5%BecausethecostoftheThriftyFoodPlanishigherinsixoftheeightstoressurveyedthantheThriftyFoodPlanreferencecost,themajorityofstoresinWascoandShermanCountiesarenot

5 Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, March 2010, Family of 4: Couple, 19-50 years and children 6-11 years. 6 Weekly total based on quantities from USDA and store prices plus cost to purchase missing items from nearest full grocery (average price of individual missing items summed for each store) 7 Monthly cost of Thrifty Meal Plan ((Grand weekly total x 4) plus federal mileage (mileage x .55) to purchase missing items once a month from nearest full grocery store) 8 Yearly cost of Thrifty Meal Plan (monthly total x 12) 9 Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, June 2009 10 Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average, October 2009, Family of 4: Couple, 19-50 years and children 6-11 years.

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affordableforlow‐incomehouseholds.Inaddition,themajorityofstores(75%)weremissingitemsfromtheTFPshoppinglist.Residentswholivenearthesesixstoresmusttraveltoaccessafull‐servicegrocerystore(mostlikelyinTheDalles)tocompletetheirshoppingatleastonceamonth,addingtothecostoffood.

Itisalsoimportanttonotethepricedifferencesbetweencounties:

FoodStoreCostComparisonsbyCounty(Annual)

Wasco ShermanAverageCostforTFP 7454.52 8354.64CountyHigh 9372.00 8775.36CountyLow 4727.04 7933.92Lowest‐PricedStoreinRegion 4727.04 Thereisasignificantpricedifference(40.4%)betweenthelowest‐pricedstoresinWascoandShermanCounties.ManyShermanCountyresidentsregularlyrelyonservicesinWascoCounty,makingitpossibleforthoseresidentstoaccessfoodthatismoreaffordable.However,ahouseholdinpovertywithoutaccesstotransportationwouldbeunabletoaffordtheTFPinShermanCounty.

Itempricesvaryatdifferentstoresthroughouttheregion.Thechartbelowdemonstratesthepricediscrepanciesonseveralitems.

ItemPriceComparisons:USDAShoppingListQuantitiesforOneWeek

Potatoes(fresh)

Apples(fresh)

Milk(1%)

Beef(ground,lean)

Store1 $5.46 $1.11 $8.55 $15.71Store2 $5.15 $1.49 $6.75 $10.20Store3 $4.62 $1.24 $8.95 $11.38Store4 $2.63 $3.75 N/A $16.74Store5 $3.78 $3.00 $8.30 $11.77Store6 $3.78 $1.99 $9.88 N/AStore7 $3.36 $.98 $5.60 $5.83Store8 $1.58 $1.24 $4.48 $6.97

Accessingaffordablefoodisrelatedtothechallengesruralgrocerystoreownersface.Becausefooddistributorsaddasurchargetoorders,manyruralstoresareunabletoaffordweeklydeliveries—makingsupplyoffreshproducedifficult.ThesestoresoftensupplementtheirstockwithshoppingtripstoCash&CarryinTheDalles.Someoftheruralstoresthatparticipatedinthesurveyaresuffering,whichpresentsanotherbarrierforlow‐incomefamiliesandcommunityfoodsecurity.

KlickitatandSkamaniaCountyInAugust2009,theUSDAThriftyMealPlanforafamilyoffour(coupleaged20to50andtwochildrenaged6to8and9to11)referencecostwas$577permonth.82TheKlickitatandSkamaniaCountygrocerystoreassessmentwasconductedinAugust2009.IncomparingtheUSDAThrifty

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MealPlanreferencecostofAugust2009andthegrocerystoreassessmentresults,theactualcostoftheThriftyMealPlaninsevenoutoftheelevenstoressurveyedwasgreaterthanthereferencecost.

Store TMPCostatStore DifferencefromUSDA

TMPreferencecostStore1 $559.76 ‐$17.24Store2 $763.43 +$186.43Store3 $752.70 +$175.70Store4 $674.28 +$97.28Store5 $659.91 +$82.91Store6 $573.84 ‐$3.16Store7 $578.90 +$1.90Store8 $620.95 +$43.95Store9 $774.14 +$197.14Store10 $393.92 ‐$183.08Store11 $458.76 ‐$118.24 In2009,theaveragehouseholdSupplementalNutritionAssistanceprogram(SNAP)benefitsforahouseholdwas$276.73,whichisnotenoughtocoverthecostoftheThriftyMealPlanitemsatanyconvenientorgrocerystoreintheKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyarea.

Asidefromcost,transportationisanotherchallengeindicatedbysurveyrespondentsandwasemphasizedinthegrocerystoreassessmentintermsofdistanceinaccessingafullgrocerystoreforKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyresidents.Onlytwoofthe11storessurveyedareconsideredfullgrocerystores.Residentshavetotravelmorethan25milesround‐tripinthecommunitieswheresevenofthestoresarelocatedtoaccessafullgrocerystore.Insixofthosecommunities,residentsmusttravelbetween40and67milesround‐triptoaccessafullgrocerystore.

FoodSecurity:Arethefoodneedsofresidentsbeingmet?

StatewideFoodSecurity–thepictureinOregonandWashingtonAccordingtotheOregonFoodBankandOregonHungerTaskForce,Oregonisnowamongthefivestateswiththehighesthungerratesinthecountry,andtheratesoffoodinsecurityandhungercontinuetoincreaseinOregon.83AreportreleasedbytheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureindicatesthatthereisalsoanincreaseinhouseholdsexperiencinghungerinthestateofWashington.84Thereportprovidesinformation,from2007surveydata,priortotheeconomicrecession,andindicatesthatthestateofWashingtonhadsignificantfoodinsecurityandhunger,particularlyinruralcommunities.13

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BetweenJanuary2006andDecember2008,anaverageof6.6%ofOregonhouseholds(about95,000householdsperyear)experiencedtimeswhentheywerehungrybutdidnoteatbecausetherewasnotenoughmoneyforfood.Comparedto3.9%from2003to2005,thisrepresentsa2.7percentagepointincrease.Thesehouseholdsthatateless,skippedmealsorsometimeswentwithoutfoodforwholedaysarecategorizedashouseholdswith“verylowfoodsecurity”—or“hunger.”

Alargergroup,13.1%ofOregonhouseholds,lackedaccesstoadequateamountsofnutritiousfoodandiscategorizedashouseholdswith“foodinsecurity.”Comparedto11.9%from2003to2005,thisrepresentsa1.2%increase.FromJuly2008toJune2009,theOregonFoodBankNetworksetarecordfordistributingthehighestamountoffoodinasingleyear—66.2millionpounds.Duringthistimeperiod,distributionofemergencyfoodboxesthroughoutthestatewidenetworkincreased14%.Inmanypartsofthestate,emergencyfooddistributionincreasedmorethan20%.OftheOregonianseatingmealsfromemergencyfoodboxes,36%arechildren.Theriseinhungerisrelatedtotherecessionandriseinunemployment.Despiteeffortstoboostfoodassistanceprograms,wagesarenotkeepingupwithhouseholdneeds.

FoodInsecurityRatesintheUnitedStates,Oregon,andWashingtonHouseholdAverages85 Washington Oregon U.S.

2006‐08 11.1% 13.1% 12.2%LoworVeryLowFoodSecurity 2003‐05 11.2% 11.9% 11.4%

2006‐08 4.3% 6.6% 4.6%VeryLowFoodSecurity 2003‐05 3.9% 3.9% 3.8%ChildrenUnder18YearsofAge86 Washington Oregon U.S.AverageNumberofChildren 1,572,750 879,696 73,848,169AverageNumberofFoodInsecureChildren 373,000 166,465 12,535,422AverageRateofFoodInsecureChildren 23.7% 18.9% 17.0% AccordingtoanOregonStateUniversitystudy,Northwestfoodinsecurityissignificantlyhigherinnon‐metro(rural)areasthaninmetroareas.ThispatternisnotdemonstratedelsewhereintheUnitedStates.Latinofoodinsecurityratesweredramaticallyhigherthanratesfornon‐Latinos,regardlessoflocation87.

InApril2008,theOregonFoodBanksurveyed3,896householdsthatreceivedanemergencyfoodboxfromoneofthe160emergencyfoodboxagenciesselectedforparticipationinthe2008OregonHungerFactorsAssessment.Ofthosehouseholds,69%worryatleastsomeofthetimeaboutfindingtheirnextmeal.

FoodSecurity

Assuredaccesstoenoughfoodforanactive,healthylife

FoodInsecurity

Uncertaintyofhaving,orbeingabletoacquire,enoughfoodtomeetbasicneedsofallhouseholdmembersbecauseofinsufficientmoneyandotherresources

HungerWhenanindividualunwillinglygoeswithoutfoodforanintermittentorextendedperiodoftime

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HouseholdswithchildrenarethelargestgroupservedbytheOregonFoodBook.27%ofhouseholdscutchildren’smealsduringtheyear—30%ofthosesaidthishappenedeverymonth.Furthermore,28%ofhouseholdsreportthattheirfoodsituationnegativelyimpactstheirchildren’shealth.

Alivingwageallowsfamiliestomeettheirbasicneedswithoutresortingtopublicassistanceandprovidesthemsomeabilitytodealwithemergenciesandplanahead.In2007,only20%ofsingleadultswithtwochildreninOregonearnedalivingwagefortheirhouseholdtype88.In2009,afulltimejobatOregonminimumwageearned$17,500,whiletheFederalPovertyLineforahouseholdofthreewas$18,310.

Sixty‐sevenpercentofrespondinghouseholdslivebelowtheFederalPovertyLine(FPL),whichisbasedona1955householdsurvey.Althoughupdatedannually,theFPLdoesnotaddresstheinfluenceoftoday’slivingexpenses.Mostadultemergencyfoodboxrecipientsareworking,retiredordisabled,but40%ofthemstillreporthigherwagesascriticaltoimprovingtheirsituation;45%reportemploymentascriticaltoimprovingtheirsituation.

SituationsContributingtoNeedforEmergencyFoodBoxHouseholdResponses52% Ranoutoffoodstamps(ofthosereceivingfoodstamps)52% Highfoodcosts40% Highfuel/heatingcosts(31%in2006,21%in2000)26% Unusualexpenseslately25% Health/medicalcosts(18%in2000)25% Lowwages23% Highrentormortgagecosts22% Unemployedalongtime21% Retired:onafixedincome18% Debt16% Toosicktowork(e.g.disabled,mentalhealthproblems)11% Recentjobloss10% PublicassistanceisnotenoughOther Foodstampscut,unemploymentranout,childcarecostsOregon Food Bank 2008 Hunger Factors Assessment Fifty‐fivepercentofhouseholdsprofiledintheOregonFoodBankHungerFactorsAssessmentcurrentlyparticipateintheSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP).Formorethanhalfofthisgroup,monthlybenefitslasttwoweeksorless.Whenasked“Whatwouldhelpimproveyourpresentsituationandmakeemergencyfoodassistancelessnecessaryforyourfamily?,”respondentsfocusedonemployment,livingwages,affordablehousing,educationandhealth,whichisconsistentwithpastOregonFoodBankHungerFactorsAssessmentresults.

HowLongFoodStampsLast(PercentofResponses)HouseholdResponsesLessthan2weeks 33%

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2weeks 32%3weeks 27%Allmonth 8%

FoodSecurityinHoodRiverCountyUSDAandOregonFoodBankfoodsecuritydataisnotavailableonacounty‐specificbasis,solocalfoodsecuritydatacomesinsteadfromthisproject’sConsumerSurvey,combinedwithdatafroma2007HoodRiverCountyNeedsAssessmentcommissionedbyProvidenceHoodRiverMemorialHospital.SomeofthelocaldataisdirectlycomparabletoOFBandUSDAstatedata,butnotall.Connectionsareshownwherepossible.

Nonetheless,localdatashowsthatmanycountyresidentsstruggletogetthefoodtheyneedfortheirfamiliesandthateventhosewhoaccessgovernmentfoodassistanceprogramsstillhavefoodneedsbeyondwhattheprogramsoffer.

Asignificantnumberofsurveyrespondentshavereceivedfoodorfoodassistancefromgovernmentprograms:36.6%intotal.

Ofthosewhohaveaccessedfoodassistance,thebreakdownisasfollows:

Government Assistance Programs accessed by Survey Respondents Food Stamps (EBT, Oregon Trail Card) 59.9% WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) 44.9% Head Start (children) 11.5% Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program 3.5% Free or Reduced School Lunch (children) 43.6% Summer Free School Lunch Program (children) 7.0% Other (please specify) 6.2%

(Most respondents checking “Other” listed FISH Food Bank, which is not a government assistance program; FISH is discussed later in this report) Evenwiththehelpoftheseprograms,12.7%ofHoodRiverCountyresidentsreportskippingamealatleastonceamonthbecausefoodisscarce:

How many times per month do you go without eating a meal because you cannot afford to buy food? Never 87.3% Once a month 5.4% 2 to 4 times a month 5.4% 5 or more times a month 1.9%

Surveyrespondentswhochecked“Yes”foreitherskippingmealssothattheirchildrencouldeator“Yes”forhavingdifficultyfeedingthemwerefarmorelikelytohavereceivedfoodfromgovernmentassistanceprograms:thefigurenearlydoubles,to64.1%.Ofthoserespondents,theaccesstoassistanceprogramswasasfollows:

- FoodStamps(EBT,OregonTrailCard)‐58.1%- WIC(Women,Infants,andChildren)‐64.5%- HeadStart‐21.0%

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- SeniorFarmersMarketNutritionProgram‐4.8%- FreeorReducedSchoolLunch‐48.4%- SummerFreeSchoolLunchProgram‐12.9%

Theseindividualsarealsomostlikelytohaveahouseholdincomeunder$40,000.Justoverhalf–53.8%‐areLatino,and35%areseasonalfarmworkers.

Surveycommentsfromthisvulnerablepopulationfurtherexemplifytheirconcerns:

- “Foodisgettingveryexpensive.Somethingneedstobedoneaboutthegaspricesand

whateverelseiscausingit.”- “Thehealthyfoodistooexpensive,sosometimesweareunabletobuythebestand

healthiestquality.”- “SinceIbuynearlyallofmyfoodwithfoodstampsandliveinCascadeLocks,it'sdifficultto

takeadvantageofthefarmers'markets.”- “Ithinkthatthepricekeepsgoingupanditishardtoaffordtopayforfood.”- “Accesstohealthcareandcostsofillnesshavegreatlyreducedourcircumstances.”- “Weneedgoodpricesforthemiddleclassfolks.Thatiswhythepoorpeopleinour

communityhavetoeatlessthantheminimumdailyrequirementsandusmiddlefolkalso.”

HRCCommunityNeedsAssessmentIn2007,ProvidenceHoodRiverMemorialHospitalconductedaNeedsAssessmentforHoodRiverCounty.Thisassessmentdidnotaddressfoodissuesinthecountydirectlywiththeexceptionofquestion,butseveralissuesidentifiedasconcernsorneedsarecorollariesforfoodinsecurity,includinghousing,healthcare,andtransportationissues.

ThisneedsassessmentdatahelpsustotakeabroaderviewofHoodRiverCountyresidentswithfoodinsecurity.Theseindividualsarenotalways“lowincome”orbelowthepovertyline,butmanyfindthemselvesinfinancialstraitsduetothehighcostoflivinginthecommunity.

Livingexpenses,suchashousing(rent,mortgages,etc)andtransportation,candirectlyimpactresidents’abilitytoeatenoughfoodortoeatthefoodtheyprefer.

Theneedsassessmentdidinclude“moneyforfood”asoneoutofaseriesofpotentialexpensesthatresidentsmightneedhelpwith.

Twenty‐ninepercentofHoodRiverCountyresidentsreportednothavingenoughmoneyforfoodeithersometimesoroften.Thiswasupthreepointsfrom2004.89

Additionally,certainpopulationsinthecommunitywereevenmorelikelytoneedhelpwithfood:

- Thosewithnoinsurance‐48%- Youngerwomen‐44%- Renters‐39%- Hispanics‐38%- Lowerincome–36%- Familieswithchildren–37%

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Outofalistof25potentialcommunityproblems,67%ofrespondentsratepovertyasamajor/moderateproblem,whichplacesitatnumberseveninthetoptenCommunityProblems–anincreaseofsevenpointsfrom2004.

Hispanics(89%),andlowerincomepeople(73%)weremorelikelytoratepovertyasamajor/moderateproblem.

Housingandthecostoflivingbeingtooexpensivewasratedasthemostimportantproblemby30%ofrespondents,anincreaseof9%since2004.ThismakesitHoodRiverCounty’smostimportantproblemintheneedsassessment.

Inadditiontohousing/costoflivingbeingtheoverallmostpressingissueforrespondents,46%ofrespondentsreportedthatthey,theirfamily,ortheirneighborsneedhelpwithmoneyforhousing,and42%needhelpfindinghousingthatmeetsfamilyneeds.

Anothercorollaryissueforfoodsecurity,transportationaccesswithinthecounty,isconsideredan“emergingissue”,with53%ofrespondentsconsideringitamajor/moderateproblem.90

Incomparison,inthefoodassessmentsurvey,11.8%ofrespondentsratedtransportationasanissuethatmakesithardforthemtogetthefoodtheyneed.

FoodSecurityinWascoandShermanCountiesLocaldatafromtheWascoandShermanCountyCommunityFoodSurveyshowsthatmanycountyresidentsstruggletoaccessthefoodtheyneedfortheirfamilies,eventhosewhorelyongovernmentfoodassistanceprograms.

Asignificantnumberofsurveyrespondentshavereceivedfoodorfoodassistancefromgovernmentprograms:49.3%inWascoCountyand44.4%inShermanCounty.

Ofthosewhohavereceivedfoodassistance,respondentsreportedthefollowing:

GovernmentAssistanceProgramsAccess Wasco Sherman Food Stamps (EBT, Oregon Trail Card) 68.0% 52.9% WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) 48.1% 33.3% Head Start (children) 12.0% 3.9% Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program 2.5% 0.0% Free or Reduced School Lunch (children) 39.6% 49.0% Summer Free School Lunch Program (children) 9.5% 2.0% Other (please specify) 8.2% 9.8%

Despitethehelpfromtheseprograms,28.4%ofWascoCountyhouseholdsand22.3%ofShermanCountyhouseholdsarefoodinsecure,worryingatleastonceamonththatfoodwillrunoutbeforethereismoneytobuymore.Theselocallevelsaresignificantlyhigherthanstatefiguresforfoodinsecurity:13.1%fromJanuary2006toDecember2008.91

Howoftendoesyourhouseholdworrythatyourfoodwillrunoutbeforeyouhavemoneytobuymore? Wasco Sherman

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Never 71.7% 77.8% Once a month 17.2% 15.1% 2 to 4 times a month 8.9% 4.0% 5 or more times a month 2.3% 3.2%

10.1%ofWascoCountyresidentsand9.2%ofShermanCountyresidentsreportskippingamealatleastonceamonthbecausefoodisscarce.

Howoftendoyougowithouteatingamealbecauseyoucannotaffordtobuyfood? Wasco Sherman Never 89.9% 90.8% Once a month 3.7% 4.6% 2 to 4 times a month 5.1% 2.3% 5 or more times a month 1.3% 2.3%

WascoCountysurveyrespondentswhoreportskippingmealssotheirchildrencouldeatarefarmorelikelytoreceivefoodfromgovernmentassistanceprograms:90.3%.Forthoserespondents,assistanceisasfollows:

Government Assistance Programs accessed by Survey Respondents Food Stamps (EBT, Oregon Trail Card) 70.2% WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) 59.6% Head Start (children) 17.5% Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program <1% Free or Reduced School Lunch (children) 57.0% Summer Free School Lunch Program (children) 14.9% Other (please specify) 7.9%

ShermanCountysurveyrespondentswhoreportskippingmealssotheirchildrencouldeatarealsofarmorelikelytoreceivefoodfromgovernmentassistanceprograms:92.3%.Forthoserespondents,assistanceisasfollows:

Government Assistance Programs accessed by Survey Respondents Food Stamps (EBT, Oregon Trail Card) 53.8% WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) 61.5% Head Start (children) 7.7% Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program 0% Free or Reduced School Lunch (children) 46.2% Summer Free School Lunch Program (children) 0% Other (please specify) 7.7%

Doyouhaveextrafoodstoredincaseofanemergency? Wasco Sherman Yes 62.4% 71.6% No 37.6% 28.4%

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Householdsthatdonothaveextrafoodstoredreporthigherratesoffoodinsecurityandhunger.InWascoCounty,48.8%ofthisgroupworriesatleastonceamonththatfoodwillrunoutbeforethereismoneytobuymore;21.1%skipamealatleastonceamonthbecausefoodisscarce.InShermanCounty,46.7%ofthisgroupworriesatleastonceamonththatfoodwillrunoutbeforethereismoneytobuymore19.4%skipamealatleastonceamonthbecausefoodisscarce.

Surveycommentsfromthisvulnerablepopulationexpressconcerns:

- “Mostofusdon’thavea)theroomorb)themoneytogetaheadtostoreit.”- “IknowthatifIcangooutandhustlefood,anyonecandoit.Iftheyaregoinghungry,it’stheir

fault.Theycangooutanddowhatwehavetodo.”- “You’rejustnoteatingwhatyouwanttoeat.”- “Ifyoudon’thaveHUD,you’renotgoingtomakeit.”- “Someofushavelearnedtolivewithnomoney.”- “Wetrytoavoidthosefoodbanks.Therearealotofpeoplethathitthosefoodbankswhether

theyneeditornot.”- “Therearenotasmanyhealthy,affordableoptionsastherecouldbe.”- “Forfreshfruitsandvegetables,thecostisastronomical.”- “Atleastsomeofthelocalthingsarestayinginthecommunity,butit’sjustatemporarything.In

thewinterthepricesareworseatthestore.”- “IgotoWINCOtwiceamonth,andit’sworththegas.Youcanfillthewholetrunkofthecarfor

$150.”- “Igetalotoffreshfruitsandvegetables,soIrunoutoffoodstampsbytheendofthemonth.”- “Ialwaysshopbypriceperpound.Ithinkweallhaveto.Idon’tthinkanyofuscanaffordnot

to.”- “Ifyoucangetajob,it’sbeneficial,butyouneedtobecarefulwhatyoutakebecauseifyouquit

orarefired,youcannotcomebackonTANFandyourfoodstampsaregone.”

FoodSecurityinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesLocaldataandsurveyinformationindicatesthatmanyresidentsinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountystruggletogetthefoodtheyneedfortheirfamilies.Thoseresidentswhoaccessgovernmentfoodassistanceprogramsstillhavefoodneedsbeyondwhattheprogramsoffer.

InKlickitatCounty,45.8%ofrespondentsreceivefoodorfoodassistancefromgovernmentfoodassistanceprograms.Over54%ofSkamaniaCountyrespondentsindicatedthattheyreceivefoodorfoodassistancefromgovernmentprograms.Ofthosewhohaveaccessedfoodassistance,thebreakdownisasfollows:

GovernmentAssistanceProgramsaccessedbySurveyRespondents

Program KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyFoodStamps(EBT,QuestCard) 54.7% 61.5%WIC(Women,Infants,andChildren) 51.8% 54.2%HeadStart(children) 16.4% 9.4%SeniorFarmersMarketNutritionProgram 1.3% 5.2%FreeorReducedSchoolLunch(children) 52.4% 47.9%SummerFreeSchoolLunchProgram(children) 5.8% 2.1%Other(pleasespecify) 11.3% 13.5%

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(Most respondents checking “Other” listed Washington Gorge Action Programs (WGAP) food banks, which is NOT a government assistance program; WGAP is discussed later in this report.) Evenwiththehelpoftheseprograms,7.9%ofKlickitatCountyand15.3%ofSkamaniaCountyresidentsreportskippingamealatleastonceamonthbecausefoodisscarce:

Howmanytimespermonthdoyougowithouteatingamealbecauseyoucannotaffordtobuyfood?

Response KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyNever 92.1% 84.6%Onceamonth 3.3% 6.9%2to4timesamonth 2.9% 4.6%5ormoretimesamonth 1.7% 3.8% InKlickitatandSkamaniaCounty,surveyrespondentswhomarked“Yes”foreitherskippingmealssothattheirchildrencouldeator“Yes”forhavingdifficultyfeedingthemwerefarmorelikelytohavereceivedfoodfromgovernmentassistanceprograms.

Almost92%ofrespondentsinKlickitatCountyand100%ofrespondentsinSkamaniaCountythatanswered“Yes”tothesequestionsaccessgovernmentassistanceprograms.Ofthoserespondents,theassistanceaccessbreakdownwasasfollows:

Program KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCountyFoodStamps(EBT,QuestCard) 58.8% 100%WIC(Women,Infants,andChildren) 58.8% 100%HeadStart(children) 26.5% 22.2%SeniorFarmersMarketNutritionProgram 0% 0%FreeorReducedSchoolLunch(children) 79.4% 55.6%SummerFreeSchoolLunchProgram(children) 14.7% 0% KlickitatandSkamaniaCountyrespondentswhoaccesstheseprogramsarealsomorelikelytohaveahouseholdincomeunder$20,000.

ChildrenandFoodSecurityintheGorgeChildrenareespeciallyvulnerabletofoodinsecurityintheGorge.Familieswithchildrenhaveahardertimemeetingtheirfoodneeds.InHoodRiverCounty,19%ofparentswithchildrenreportskippingmealssothattheirchildrencaneat;(frequencyofmealskippingspecificallyforchildren’ssakewasnotevaluated)and62.5%ofparentswhoskipmealsfortheirkids’sakereportskippingamealatleastonceamonth;8.3%ofthosedosomorethan5timesamonth.

InWascoCounty,11.6%ofhouseholdswithchildrenskipmealssothattheirchildrencaneat.21.6%ofthoseskipamealatleastonceamonthand4.1%dosofiveormoretimesamonth.InShermanCounty,11.6%ofhouseholdsskipmealssothattheirchildrencaneat.21.4%ofthoseskipamealatleastonceamonthand14.3%dosofiveormoretimesamonth.

Additionally,21.7%ofHoodRiverCounty,13.2%ofWascoCounty,and11.1%ofShermanCountyhouseholdswithchildrenstruggletoprovideenoughfoodforchildrenwhenschoolisnotinsession.

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About8%ofKlickitatCountyandover18%ofSkamaniaCountyrespondentswhoareparentsreportedskippingmealssothattheirchildrencaneat.InKlickitatCounty,18%ofparentswhoskipmealssotheirchildrencaneatreportthattheyskipamealatleastonceamonth;20%skiptwotofourtimespermonth;and22%skipfiveormoretimespermonth.InSkamaniaCounty,34.6%ofrespondentswhoskipmealssotheirchildrencaneatreportedthattheyskipamealatleastonceamonth;15.4%skiptwotofourtimespermonth;and15.4%skipfiveormoretimespermonth.

Additionally,10.9%ofKlickitatCountyrespondentsand20.9%ofSkamaniaCountyrespondentswhohavechildrenreportthatitishardertohaveenoughfoodfortheirchildrenwhenschoolisnotinsession.Specifically,69.2%ofKlickitatCountyrespondentsand54.5%ofSkamaniaCountyrespondentswhoreportskippingmealsfortheirchildren’ssakealsoreportthatitishardertohaveenoughfoodfortheirchildrenwhenschoolisnotinsession.

SchoolLunchAssistanceintheGorge99%ofAmerica’steachersagree:propernutritionandproperfoodconsumptionaffectachild’sabilitytolearn.WhenShareOurStrength,anationalleadingnonprofitorganizationtoendhunger,conductedanationalsurveyof740kindergartenthrougheighthgradepublicschoolteachers,analarmingnumberbelievethatchildrenintheclassroomregularlycometoschoolhungrybecausetheydonotgetenoughtoeatathome.92

•Nearly90%ofteachersbelievechildhoodhungershouldbeahighpriorityforournation.

•Astrongmajorityofteachers(64%)saymostoralotofstudentsrelyonschoolmealsfortheirprimarysourceofnutrition.

Mostnutritionassistancereacheschildrenthroughschoolbreakfast,lunchandafterschoolsnacksviatheUSDA’sFreeandReducedPriceSchoolMealsProgram.Butmakingfoodavailabledoesnotensureitwillreachchildren.Problems,ascomplexasstigmasandassimpleasgettingtoschoolontime,getintheway.

AsignificantportionofHoodRiverCounty’syouthareeligiblefortheFreeorReducedSchoolLunchProgram.

School Lunch Assistance in Hood River County 2002‐2003 2006‐2007%ofChildrenReceivingFreeandReduced‐PriceLunch

47.3

49.0

EligibleforFreeLunch NA 1,617EligibleforReducedLunch NA 331StudentEnrollment NA 3,977Source: Oregon Department of Education, Child Nutrition Programs Justover50%ofsurveyrespondents(50.6%)reportedthattheyortheirchildrenhadutilizedfreeorreducedschoollunchorthefreesummerlunchprogram;6.2%ofthe50.6%hadaccessedthesummerprogram).

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Fullpriceschoollunchmealscost$1.50forbreakfastand$2‐2.75forlunch(variesfromelementarytohighschool).Studentsqualifyingforreducedlunchpricespay$.30forbreakfastand$.40forlunch.93

NearlyhalfofWascoandShermanCountyyouthareeligibleforthefreeorreduced‐priceschoollunchprogram.Ofthe49.3%ofWascoCountyresidentsreceivingfoodfromgovernmentassistanceprograms,39.6%participateinthefreeorreducedschoollunchprogramand9.5%participateinthesummerfreeschoollunchprogram.

Ofthe44.4%ofShermanCountyresidentsreceivingfoodfromgovernmentassistanceprograms,49%participateinthefreeorreducedschoollunchprogramand2.0%participateinthesummerfreeschoollunchprogram.

AnychildataparticipatingschoolmaypurchaseamealthroughtheNationalSchoolLunchProgram.Childrenfromhouseholdswithincomesatorbelow130%ofthepovertylevelareeligibleforfreemeals.Thosewithincomesbetween130%and185%ofthepovertylevelareeligibleforreduced‐pricemeals,whichcostnomorethan$.40.Localschoolfoodauthoritiessettheirownpricesforfull‐price(paid)meals,butmustoperatetheirmealservicesasnon‐profitprograms.94

WascoandShermanCountySchoolDistricts

2007‐2008 Dufur S.Wasco N.Wasco Sherman%ofChildrenEligibleforFreeorReducedLunch

43% 54% 52% 50%

EligibleforFreeLunch 104 97 1,263 101EligibleforReducedLunch 17 37 254 35StudentEnrollment 280 248 2,901 272Oregon Department of Education, National School Lunch Program, 2007-2008 Area Eligibility Althoughthe2009districtinformationwasnotavailableforthisassessment,the2009school‐levelinformationisasfollows.

AccordingtotheOregonDepartmentofEducation,theonlyschoolinWascoandShermanCountieswith40to49%freeandreducedeligibilityistheShermanCountyJunior/SeniorHighSchool.95Thefollowingschoolshave50%andgreatereligibility:DryHollowElementary(TheDalles),ChenowithElementary(TheDalles),TheDallesMiddleSchool,MaupinElementaryandShermanCountyElementary.96

Schoolswithlessthan40%eligibilityincludetheDufurSchoolDistrictschools,theMosierCommunitySchool,ColonelWrightElementary(TheDalles),TheDallesHighSchoolandtheSouthWascoCountyJunior/SeniorHighSchool(Maupin).

The2009OregonHealthTeenSurvey,conductedattwoschoolsinTheDalles,providesacloserlookatchildhoodfoodinsecurity.14.8%ofeighthgradestudentsand15.5%of11thgradestudentsatelessthantheyfelttheyshould(inthepast12months)becausetherewasnotenoughmoneytobuyfood.97Theselevelsareslightlylowerthanstatewidetotals:16.4%ofeighthgradestudentsand18.1%ofeleventhgradestudentsreportfoodinsecurity.98However,whencomparingtheOregon

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HealthyTeenandCommunityFoodSurveyresults,foodinsecurityismoreprevalentamongchildrenthangeneralrespondentsinWascoCounty.

Acrosstheriver,asignificantnumberofchildrenandyouthinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyareeligibletoparticipateinthefreeorreducedschoollunchprogram.Asof2009,studentparticipationinthefreeorreducedlunchprogramprovidedinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyschoolsisasfollows:

KlickitatCountySchoolDistrictFreeorReducedLunchProgramEnrollment

FreeorReducedLunchProgram 2008‐2009BickletonSchoolDistrict 0%GlenwoodSchoolDistrict 45.3%GoldendaleSchoolDistrict 52.7%KlickitatSchoolDistrict 63.1%Lyle/DallesportSchoolDistrict 97.6%RooseveltSchoolDistrict 0%TroutLakeSchoolDistrict 0%WhiteSalmonValleySchoolDistrict 50.2%WishramSchoolDistrict 98.6%(Schoolsthathave0%enrollmentindicatethattheschoolsdonotparticipateinthefederalfoodlunchprogram.Theseschoolsprovidestudentsaccesstolunchthroughlocallyorganizedschoolfoodprograms.)Source:OfficeofSuperintendentofPublicInstruction:WashingtonReportCard

SkamaniaCountySchoolDistrictFreeorReducedLunchProgramEnrollment

FreeorReducedLunchProgram 2008‐2009MillASchoolDistrict 52.5%SkamaniaSchoolDistrict 59.4%Stevenson‐CarsonSchoolDistrict 36%Source:OfficeofSuperintendentofPublicInstruction:WashingtonReportCard

InKlickitatCounty,52.4%ofrespondentsreportedthattheyortheirchildrenusedfreeorreducedschoollunch;5.8%statedthattheyortheirchildrenaccessedafreesummerlunchprogram.InSkamaniaCounty,47.9%ofrespondentsreportedthattheyortheirchildrenusedfreeorreducedschoollunch;2.1%saidtheyortheirchildrenaccessedafreesummerlunchprogram.

EmergencyFoodAccessintheGorge

HoodRiverCountyTherearenumeroussitesinHoodRiverCountywhereresidentscanaccessemergencyfoodpantries;mostofthesereceivefoodfromOregonFoodBankthroughtheregionalMid‐Columbia

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CommunityActionCouncil(MCCAC).TheprimaryfoodpantryinthecountyisFISHFoodBank,locatedinHoodRiver.SecondarypantriesareoperatedbytheSeventh‐DayAdventistchurchinHoodRiverandbyvolunteersinCascadeLocks.FISHalsopartnerswithvolunteerstooperateamonthlypantryinParkdale.FISHisentirelyvolunteer‐run,andthemajorityofvolunteersarecongregantsofchurchesaffiliatedwithGorgeEcumenicalMinistries(GEM).Inaddition,theCommissiononChildrenandFamiliesreportsthatnumerouslocalchurchesoperatesmallerfoodpantriesthroughoutthecounty,buttheseareunaffiliatedwithMCCACandrelysolelyonprivatedonations.Localclinics,includingthecountyhealthdepartmentandLaClinicadelCariño,alsoprovidelimitedfooditemsatnotcosttoclientswhenavailable.

9.8%ofsurveyrespondentsreportutilizingoneofFISH’ssitesasasourceforfoodatsometime.InthemonthsofApril,May,andJune2008,allMCCAC‐affiliatedfoodpantriesservedanaverageof1319individualseachmonth.99Thisrepresents6.46%ofthepopulationofHoodRiverCounty.Thisnumbermayalsounder‐representthenumberofresidentsaccessingemergencyfoodinthecountybecauseitdoesnotincludeindividualswhoaccessfoodatLaClinica,thehealthdepartment,oratanylocalchurchnotaffiliatedwithMCCACandOregonFoodBank.Clientnumbersforthesesiteswereunavailable.

FISHisgenerallywell‐regardedbyclients;a2008surveyofclientsduringoneweekinMarchshowsthatclientswere100%‘very’or‘mostly’satisfiedbyfoodsprovidedbythepantry.

InFISH’sclientsurvey,respondentsweregiventheopportunitytoofferfeedbackonfoodsthattheywouldlikethefoodbanktohave,andtoreportonfoodsthattheydiscardorneverusefromtheirboxes.

Doyouhavesuggestionsforfoodsyouwouldlikeustopurchase?

BeefPorkSugarDiabetic‐specificfoods(2)FoodsforpeoplewhoaremissingteethFreshfruit(2)Freshvegetables(2)Eggs(2)Cheese(3)ButterSoyorricemilkWholegrains

AretherefoodsFISHprovidesthatyoudiscardorneveruse?

Peanutbutter(3)PowderedmilkFoodsdiabeticscan’thave(2)Mac&cheeseLiver(2)Cranberries

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FISHvolunteersinterviewednotedthateasy‐to‐makemealsandsweets,likeleftoverStarbuckspastries,disappearmuchfasterthanbulkgoods.Freshitems,likethosedonatedfromlocalgrocerystoresorthefarmers’market,arealsoquicktobetaken.100

Volunteersnotedthatdemandrisesattheendofthemonth,whenresidents’paychecksand/orfoodstampbenefitshaverunlow.ThiscorrelateswithOFBstatewidedatathatshows64%offoodstamprecipients’benefitsrunoutbeforetheendofeachmonth.101

FISHreceivesonlyoneOregonFoodBankdeliveryeachmonth,atthebeginningofthemonth,fromtheregionalfoodbankwarehouseinTheDalles.Mid‐ColumbiaCommunityActionCouncilmanagestheregionalwarehouseandworkswithFISHtomakeanddeliverfoodorders.

Afterrepeatedlyrunninglowonstaplefoodstowardtheendofthemonth,FISHnowpurchasesfoodfromlocalgrocersandfromtheFoodServicesAgency(FSA),afoodservicecompany,tosupplementwhenstocksrunlow.Approximately70%oftheirfoodstocksfromOregonFoodBank;30%comesfromlocalpurchasesanddonations.Likeallstatefoodpantries,FISHisabletobuyfoodfromOregonFoodBankataratesignificantlycheaperthanretailprices:approximately.08cents/lb.102FISHreportsspending$6.55perpersoneachyearonfood.103

FISHiscurrentlyfacingthechallengeofasignificantspikeinthenumberoffamiliesneedingemergencyfood.InApril‐June2008,FISHserved3958individuals;forthesameperiodin2007,2673individuals,and2006,2948individuals.Thisrepresentsa48%increaseinindividualsservedfrom2007‐2008,anda34%increaseover2006levels.

VolunteersonsitereportthatthenumberofchildrenaccessingFISHassistancehasgrownevenmore:FISHserved58.2%morechildrenfromJanuary‐September2008thaninthesametimeperiodin2007.104AsignificantportionofFISHclientsincludechildren:

Children served by FISH, January-September 2007-2008 2007 2,759

2008 4,364

Onanannualscale,FISH’snumbersareupaswell: Total Individuals Served by FISH, 2002-2008 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 (Jan-Sept only) 7810 7702 9857 9560 8713 8948 9719 Thesenumbersshowageneralupwardtrend,withaspikein2004‐2005.ThenumberofpeopletoaccessFISHservicesfromJanuary‐September2008surpassedFISH’sbusiestyearinthepast6years(2004).Whileitisuncertainwhetherthissharpriseinneedistemporaryoralong‐termtrend,FISHneedstheresourcestohelptheseindividualseitherway. Individuals served by all HRC emergency food sites, April-June 2006-2008

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A full spread of data for all county emergency food sites from before 2006 is unavailable for longer-term trend reporting. Becauseofthisjumpinneed,FISHhashadtopurchasemorefoodthaneverbefore–inApril‐June2008,FISHpurchasedover$7500infoodtosupplementdonationsandtheirOFBfooddelivery.Thisconcernsthem,becauseFISHcannotsustainthislevelofpurchasingindefinitely.Priorto2006,FISHwasnotpurchasingsignificantquantitiesoffood,butasneedfortheirservicesrise,sodotheirpurchases: FISH Food Bank food purchases, 2006-2008, in dollars

Asfoodneedsarerising,foodsuppliesarenot.MCCACstaffattheregionalfoodbankwarehousereportthatUSDAcommodityfoodavailabilityisdownbynearly50%(trenddatawasnotavailable).105FISHreportsthatdonationshaveremainedrelativelysteadyandthattypicallytheyareabletomeetthecommunity’sneeds;theorganizationacceptsbothfoodandcashdonationsfromthecommunityandconsidersresidents’donationstobegenerousandsufficientonthewhole,butwhenneedjumps,donationsdonotriseasquicklytomatchtheneed.Cashdonationsarethus

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especiallyvaluablebecausetheorganizationcanusethedonationstorespondtospikesindemandorparticularclientfoodneeds.

Localgrocerystoresareanothervaluablefooddonationsource.SeveralregionalstoresparticipateinthestatewideFreshAllianceprogramanddonateperishablegoodssuchascheesewhentheyareavailable.Theselocalgrocersdonotgenerallydonateproduce.

Local Produce at the Food Bank TheavailabilityoffreshproduceatFISHislimitedbyseasonality.Duringharvestseason,FISHfrequentlyreceivesfruitfromlocalorchardsandweeklydonationsfromtheGorgeGrownFarmers’Market.In2008,donationsfromtheGorgeGrownFarmers’Markettotaled648pounds.106Thesedonationsareprimarilylimitedtothesummerandfallmonths,however,andarenotalwaysavailable.Freshfruitsandveggieswereafrequently‐identifieddesiredfooditemintheFISHsurvey.OnelimitationforfreshproductsisthatFISHdoesnothaveextrarefrigeratedstoragespace.Thepantryownsseveralfamily‐sizerefrigeratorsandfreezersthataretypicallyfulltocapacitywithitemssuchasmeatandcheesedonatedbylocalgrocerystores.ThusFISHcannotacceptlargefreshproductdonationsatonce.

AnotherlimitationforFISHatitscurrentlocationisthatthesiteisnotsuitedforrepackingfood.ThismeansthatFISHcannottakeadvantageofsomediscountedOregonFoodBankfooditemsthatarriveinbulkandmustberepackaged.TheirstoragelimitationsalsolimittheamountoffoodFISHcanorderfromOFBonanygivenmonth.TheywouldprefertoorderlargerquantitiesfromOFBatlowerprices,butwithonlyonedeliveryamonth,cannotstorethequantityoffoodneededforthecurrentdemandforamonth.WhenFISHmakespurchasesatlocalgrocers,theypayfullretailprice,andareunabletostretchtheirlimitedpurchasingdollarsasfar.107Additionally,MCCACstaffnotethatsomegrocersthatdonatefoodareworkingtoimprovetheirinventorystocking,whichhasthepotentialtoreducegrocery‐donatedproductsbothlocallyandstatewidethroughOFBinthefuture.108

MCCAC and the Regional Food Bank TheregionalfoodbankinTheDallesserves13foodsitesintheGorge,includingallofFISH’ssitesinHoodRiver.ThenewlyrenovatedwarehousealsohousesWascoCounty’sgleaninggroup,WindyRiverGleaners,andhasthecapacitytorepacklargebulkfoodorders.109However,FISHistheonlyfoodpantryinthecountytoreceiveadirectdeliveryfromMCCAC’swarehouseinTheDalles–foodmustthenbereloadedandtransportedtoParkdaleandCascadeLockssites.

MCCAC,FISH,andtheHoodRiverCountyCommissiononChildrenandFamilieshaveindicatedaninterestinexploringthepossibilityofanimprovedemergencyfoodfacilityinHoodRiverCountythatwouldallowFISHtostoremorefood,includingmorefreshfruitsandvegetables,torepackbulkitems,andpotentiallytohostkitchenandclassroomspaceaswelltomakeforamulti‐usefacility.

InWascoCounty,MCCACpartneredwiththecountytoapplyforaCommunityDevelopmentBlockGrant(CDBG)tosupportthedevelopmentoftheirregionalwarehouse;asimilarapproachcouldworkwellinHoodRiverCountytodevelopasitewithimprovedstorageandrepackingcapacity.SuchaprojectcouldagaingothroughaCDBGgrantwithHoodRiverCountygovernmentsupport,

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orcouldbefoldedintoanotherproject,suchastheCommissiononChildrenandFamily’sCommunitySchoolprojectinOdell.

LaClinicadelCarino–anotheremergencyfoodpartner

Currently,LaClinicadelCarino,alocalnon‐profithealthclinicfocusingontheneedsandwellnessoffarmworkersintheregion,distributesamodestamountoffoodatitsmainclinicinHoodRiver.However,thisismostlylimitedtoday‐oldbreadsandpastriesfromlocalgrocers–helpful,butnotparticularlyhealthy.LaClinicaleaderswouldliketoexpandtheirofferingsandbeabletoofferthekindofhealthieritems,likefruitandproduce,thattheypromoteattheirpracticeandintheirwellnessprograms.110

LaClinicastaffalsonotethatsomeSpanish‐only‐speakingfarmworkersareafraidtovisitFISH,astheyworryaboutdeportation.FISHdoesnottrackoraskforproofofcitizenship,butforthesefamilies,itisabarrier.HavingsomeitemsavailableatLaClinicacouldhelpprovidefoodtothesefamilies.111

AfinalrecommendationfromLaClinicawastopartnerwithFISHforalate‐springfooddriveduringcherryharvesttime,whentheconcentrationoffamiliesintowntoworktheseasonalharvestisgreatest.FoodsspecifictothedietofLatinofamiliesareofteninshortsupplyatFISH,soafooddriveatthistimecouldbedirectedtowardstheseitems.SeeChapterIVformoreinformationonLaClinica’sprograms.

Emergency Food needs and ideas: - Some,butnotall,ofFISH’sinformationalmaterialsandinstructionsareinSpanish.They

wouldbenefitfromhavingallofthesetranslated.- MoreSpanish‐speakingvolunteerswouldhelpensurethatSpanish‐speakingclientsareable

togettheirneedsmet.- FISHhasnocomputersonsiteandmustkeepallrecordsonpaper.Thissystemworkswell

withvolunteersbutmeansthatallimportantdigitalFISHdocumentsmustbekeptonvolunteers’computers.

- Improvedsitedryandcoldstorageforlargershipmentsofgoods.- Asitecapableofrepackingfoodtotakeadvantageofbulkitems.- Potentiallyawarehousesitewithexpandedstoragecapacity,repackingability,and

educationalkitchenspace.- Expand/extendemergencyfoodofferingsincommunitiesoutsideofHoodRiver(Cascade

Locks,Odell,Parkdale)- PotentiallypartnerwithLaClinicatoofferemergencyfoodonsite- Partnershipswithlocalgrowerstoacceptfreshproducedonations(wouldrequire

improvedstorage)

WascoandShermanCountiesTheEmergencyFoodBoxProgramisathree‐to‐fivedaysupplyofgroceriesaccessedfromoneofthe268pantriesrunbychurchesandothernon‐profitgroupsintheOregonFoodBankNetwork.Althoughamajorityofhouseholdsrelyonemergencyfoodboxesonlyonetothreetimesayear112,

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pantriesareservingmorefirst‐timeclientswhilealsomeetingincreasedneedsofthosealreadyaccessingemergencyfood.113

ThereareseveralsitesinWascoCountywhereresidentscanaccessemergencyfoodresources.HalfofthesesitesarelocatedinNorthWascoCountyandreceiveOregonFoodBankfoodthroughMCCAC.TheprimaryemergencyfoodboxsiteinWascoCountyistheSt.VincentdePaulfoodpantry,locatedinTheDalles.TheSalvationArmyandTheDallesSeventhDayAdventistalsooperatepantriesinTheDalles.Inaddition,severallocalchurchesoperatesmaller,informalfoodpantriesthroughoutthecountythatareunaffiliatedwithMCCACandrelysolelyonprivatedonations.

10.9%ofWascoCountyrespondentsreportusingafoodbankorpantryasasourceoffood.FromJulytoSeptember2009,thethreeMCCAC‐affiliatedfoodpantriesinWascoCountyservedanaverageof1,392individualseachmonth—a12.7%increasefromtheaverageduringthisperiodin2007.114Thisrepresents5.9%oftheWascoCountypopulationbutmayunder‐representthenumberofresidentswhoaccessfoodatinformalpantriesnotaffiliatedwithMCCACandtheOregonFoodBank.Clientnumbersforothersiteswereunavailable.

8.8%ofShermanCountyrespondentsreportusingafoodbankorpantryasasourceoffood.OneemergencyfoodboxsiteinShermanCountyreceivesfoodfromMCCAC,theMethodistChurchUnitedinWasco.FromJulytoSeptember2009,thisfoodpantryservedanaverageof88individualseachmonth—a25.7%increasefromtheaverageduringthisperiodin2007.115Thisrepresents5.4%oftheShermanCountypopulationsbutmayunder‐representthenumberofresidentsinformallyreceivingfoodassistance.

MCCACEmergencyFoodBoxSites,JulytoSeptember2009

SPOTLIGHT:TheWascoFoodPantry TheonlyMCCAC‐affiliatedfoodpantryinShermanCounty,theMethodistChurchUniteddistributes

emergencyfoodboxesonceamonth.AccordingtovolunteerpantryoperatorBryanVangilder,thefarmingindustryandseasonalemploymentopportunitiesinShermanCountymakegettingbyintheoffseasonhard.MostfoodboxrecipientsareseniorcitizensandaregeographicallywidespreadandabouthalfoftheclientstravelfromRufus.

BecausethelevelsoffoodinsecurityinShermanCountyarehigherthanthenumberofindividualsaccessingthefoodpantry(5.4%ofthepopulation),manyresidentswhoneedemergencyfoodaccessdonotaccessservices.AlthoughVangilderandotherresidentsrecognizeanattachedstigma,itishardtodispel.

TheWascopantryrunsoncountyfundsandprivatedonations.Limitedcoldstoragespacerestrictsorders,andsomeofthepantry’sfoodisstoredattheMCCACwarehouseinTheDalles.AlthoughthereisademonstratedneedtoservemorefoodinsecureresidentsinShermanCounty,Vangilder

Individuals

Served Boxes

Distributed Salvation Army 1,299 446 The Dalles Seventh Day Adventist 805 247 St. Vincent de Paul 2,072 740 Methodist Church United 263 115

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saysthepantry’sfacilitycannothandlemore.“Itwouldbenicetohavesomethingotherthanwhatwe’vegot.Itwouldbenicetohaveabiggerareaandmorefreezercapacity.Thechurchisn’treallywiredtohavemorefreezersstuckinthebasement.116”

AsinWascoCounty,churchesinShermanCountyinformallyprovidefoodboxesforcongregationorcommunitymembersinneed.

Thefollowingisexcerpted(withediting)fromtheSouthernWascoCountyEmergencyFoodPantryFeasibilityStudy.

Demographically,SouthWascoCountyresidentsaremorelikelytoneedemergencyfoodservicesthanNorthCountyresidents.117BecauseSouthWascoCountyisgeographicallyremote,itisdifficultforresidentstoaccessassistance.TheclosestMCCAC‐affiliatedemergencyfoodboxsitesare40milesnorthofMaupininTheDallesandMoro.AlthoughSt.VincentdePauldeliversemergencyfoodsupplieswhenrequested(anaverageofnineboxesamonth),itisdifficultforassistanceprovidersintheNorthWascoCountytoshareservicesbecauseofthelackoffacilitiesandmanpowerintheSouthWascoCounty.Withlimitedresources,severallocalfaith‐basedorganizationsandservicegroupstrytoaddressaportionoftheneedforemergencyfoodassistanceinSouthWascoCounty.

Maupin TheMaupinChapteroftheLionsClubdistributesemergencyfoodboxestothoseinneedeveryChristmas.Also,theMaupinCommunityEvangelicalChurchusesdiscretionaryfundstoassistcommunitymembersinneed—mostoftenfamilieswithgrandparentsfosteringgrandchildren.Asidentifiedbyoneofthechurch’sprojectdirectors,thelargestchallengeisthelackofacentral,widelyknownemergencyassistanceeffortwithenoughcapacitytoaddressthehighleveloflocalneed.118

WamicTheWamicCommunityChurchhasanemergencyassistanceprojectcalled“TheKing’sPantry.”Itstoresnon‐perishablefooditems,whicharedistributedtotwoorthreefamilieseachmonth.Thischurchidentifiesthefollowingprojectissues:lackofspaceandcapacitytoservethecommunity’sneed,lackofknowledgeregardingavailableassistance,andhesitationtouseassistancebecauseofreligiousaffiliation.

TyghValleyTheTyghValleyCommunityUnitedMethodistChurchalsorunsasmallfoodpantry.Itcollectsnon‐perishablefooditemsandcashdonations,anddistributesfoodtocommunitymembersinneedorseekingassistance.Becausethechurchlacksstoragefacilities,volunteersgenerallycollectdonationsonanas‐neededbasis.Thechurch’spantrygenerallyservestwoorthreefamilieseverymonth,withheightenedneedinthesummerforseasonalworkers.

ManyofthecommunitiesinSouthWascoandShermanCountiesfallwithintwentymilesofMaupin.EstablishinganemergencyfoodpantryinMaupinwouldreducethetraveltimetoemergencyfoodservicesbyhalfforpeoplelivinginmostofthecommunitiesinSouthWascoandShermanCounties.MCCAChasexpressedinterestinsupplyinganemergencyfoodfacilityinMaupin,butthereisnotanorganizationinSouthWascoCountythatiscurrentlycapableofmanagingapantry.

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LocalProduceMCCAC‐affiliatedpantriesmostlyreceiveshelf‐stablefood,andtheavailabilityoffreshproduceatfoodpantriesislimitedbyseasonality.In2009,TheDallesFarmers’MarketdonatedsurplusproducetotheSt.VincentdePaulemergencyfoodboxsite.Currently,therearenoactiveorcoordinatedeffortstosourcemorefreshproduce.Becausemanaginglargeamountsoffreshproduceislogisticallycomplex,thereisneedforincreaseddonationsfromhomegardenersandimprovedcoordinationwithproducers.

Only5%oftheOregonFoodBankfoodMCCACdistributesisfreshproduce.119Dependingontheseason,MCCACreceivesacouplebinsofpotatoes,squash,onions,cucumbers,tomatoes,apples,orangesorpearseachmonth.“Ifwewantanassortment,we’rebetteroffaskinglocalgrowers,”JanealBooren,RegionalFoodBankCoordinator,said.“Especiallywiththevarietywe’reabletogrowaroundhere.”

BecausetheWascofoodpantryonlydistributesemergencyfoodboxesonceamonth,itdoesnottypicallyacceptfreshproducefromtheOregonFoodBankunlesstheitemswillhold,suchaspotatoesoronions.Althoughthepantrycanacceptaverylimitedamountofhome‐growndonations,foodboxrecipientsoftenbringfreshproducetosharewithotherrecipientsatdistribution.120

TheWindyRiverGleanersinTheDallesreceivesmorefreshproduce,whichisgleanedfromfarmsordonatedfromgardens,thananysiteinWascoorShermanCounties.BecauseGleanersareabletohandlelargequantitiesoffreshproduceanddistributeweekly,theymovefreshfoodquicklyandefficiently.

St.VincentdePaulcanhandlefreshproduce,butnotinlargequantitiesatonce.TheSalvationArmysitecannoteffectivelyreceiveordistributefreshproducebecauseofstoragelimitedtothehallway.TheDallesSeventhDayAdventistisequippedtoreceivefreshproducebutacceptsalimitedamountfromtheOregonFoodBankbecauseofitsconnectiontoEvansFruitStandandothersourcesoffreshproduce.

Overall,theMCCACfoodpantriescanhandlefreshproduce,butonlyinsmalldoses.WhenfreshproducearrivesfromOFBorUSDA,thequantitiesareoftentoolargetomanageefficiently.Thesamechallengesarisewhenlocalfarmersdonatelargequantitiesbecausefreezerandrefrigerationspaceispoorattheagencies.Thebestapproachtosourcinglocalfoodpantrieswithfreshproduceisforlocalpeopletodonatefromgardens.“Idon’tthinkthereisanagencythatwouldturnitdown,”Boorensaid.

KlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesTherearenumeroussitesinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountywhereresidentscanaccessemergencyfoodpantries,whichareorganizedbytheWashingtonGorgeActionPrograms(WGAP),itsheadquarterslocatedinBingen,KlickitatCounty.ThereisonefoodbanklocationinSkamaniaCounty,theStevensonFoodBank.ThereareseveralfoodbankslocatedthroughoutKlickitatCounty;theGoldendaleFoodBank,theSeventhDayAdventistCommunityCenterFoodBankin

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WhiteSalmon,theWGAPFoodBankinBingen,andtheKlickitatFoodBank,whichopenedin2009.121

InApril2010,thecommunityofWishramstartedtoreceiveemergencyfoodservicesfromWGAP.FoodboxesandcommoditysupplementalfoodsweredeliveredtoWishramanddistributedoutofatruck.WGAPintendstocontinueprovidingthisserviceinWishramandotheroutlyingareasthroughout2010.14

In2008,9,943foodboxesweredistributedfromthefoodbanksinKlickitatCountyand3,708foodboxesweredistributedfromthefoodbankinSkamaniaCounty.In2009,9,878foodboxesweredistributedfromfoodbanksinKlickitatCounty.AsofOctober2009,2,835foodboxesweredistributedfromthefoodbankinSkamaniaCountyandthrough2010,anaverageof300foodboxesaredistributedmonthlyfromthefoodbankinSkamaniaCounty.14

While2009boxesdistributedthroughWGAPfoodbankswerelessthanthosedistributedin2008,therewasahigherpercentageofindividualsandfamiliesaccessingemergencyfoodservicesin2009.ForallWGAPfoodbanksinKlickitatandSkamaniaCounty,544,2092poundsoffoodweredistributedin2008and777,2024poundsoffoodweredistributedin2009.14In2009,WGAPpreparedlargerfoodboxesthatheldmorefoodandredesignedtheirfoodbanksystemtoworksimilartoagrocerystorewhereparticipantscanwalkthroughthefoodbankandchoosewhichfoodstheywanttotakefromshelves.Thesetwochangesprovidedfoodsthatfamiliesweremorelikelytouseandalargeramountoffoodperbox,whichmayhavecausedlessofaneedforindividualsandfamiliestoaccessemergencyfoodservicesmorethanonceamonth.14

Agency‐wide,throughoutallWGAPprograms(includingemergencyfood,energy,andshelter),1,996householdswereservedin2008and3,803householdswereservedin2009,almostdoublethenumberfromtheyearbefore.14

WGAPfoodbanksarepartofNorthwestHarvest,anecumenicalministryinSeattle,andSecondHarvestinSpokane.WGAPdoesnothavetopayfeesforfoodprovidedthroughNorthwestHarvest,butWGAPmustarrangetohavethefoodpickedupinSeattleandtransportedtoWGAP’smainofficeinBingen.ThroughWGAP’spartnershipwithSecondHarvest,thereisnocostforthefoodprovidedtoWGAP,butthereisasharedmaintenancefeeofbetween$0.3and$0.19perpoundoffood.In2009,SecondHarveststartedtodeliverfoodtoWGAPonceamonthonasemitruck,whichallowsforthetransportationoflargerquantitiesoffood.14

WGAPreceiveslocalfooddonationstohelpsupportthefoodbanks,includingdonationsfromlocalgrocerystoresinWhiteSalmon,Goldendale,andStevenson.WGAPalsoreceivesdonationsfromtheHorizonsProgram,inwhichcommunitieshavedevelopedcommunitygardenstoprovidefullorpartialharveststoWGAPfoodbanks.Localgrowersregularlydonateaportionoftheproducetheygrowandharvest.CommunitymembersthroughoutKlickitatandSkamaniaCountydonatefoodandmoneytosupportthepurchaseoffood.Theamountofdonationsfromcommunitymembershasincreasedinrecentyears.14

TheseeffortscontributetobringingmorefoodtotheWGAPfoodbanks;however,therehasbeenanincreaseinthecostofthefoodWGAPneedstopurchasetoprovideadequatefoodboxestoindividualsandfamiliesinneedofthem.14

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GovernmentFoodAssistanceAsmentionedpreviously,asignificantnumberofsurveyrespondentshavereceivedfoodassistancefromgovernmentprogramsadministeredlocally:36.6%inHoodRiverCounty,49.3%inWascoCounty,44.4%inShermanCounty,45.8%inKlickitatCounty,andover54%inSkamaniaCounty.Theseprograms,includingSNAP(foodstamps),WIC,HeadStart,andmore,havetheabilitytosignificantlyincreasefoodsecurity.ThehighpercentageofWascoandShermanCountyresidentswhoaccesstheseresourceswarrantsalookathowtheseprogramscouldbetterserveclients.

Women,InfantsandChildren(WIC)ProgramWICisasupplementalnutritionprogramthatservestosafeguardthehealthoflow‐incomepregnantwomenandmothers,infantsandchildrenuptoage5byprovidingsupplementalfoods,healthcarereferrals,breastfeedingsupportandnutritioneducation.WICprovidesfamilieswithchecksorvoucherseachmonththatareintendedtobeusedtopurchasenutritiousfoodstohelpsupplementtheirdiets.16FoodsthatfamiliescanpurchaseusingWICbenefitsarehighlynutritiousandincludemilk,cheese,peanutbutter,eggs,driedbeans,peas,lentils,tuna,andfreshfruitsandvegetables.15

Theprogram,federallyfundedbytheUSDA,isdesignedtoaddresshealthdisparitiesandreachfamiliesmostinneedofpreventivehealthservices.In2008,WICserved174,000women,infantsandchildrenacrossOregonand292,000inWashington.122Duringthisyear,over65%ofinfantsborninruralareasinWashingtonreceivedWICservices.

WIC2008ServiceData:ColumbiaRiverGorge

Hood River Wasco and

Sherman Klickitat Skamania

Total Served 1,586 1,694 1,220 256 Infants and Children Under 5 1,216 860 174 Pregnant, Breastfeeding and Postpartum Women 478 360 82 Pregnant Women Served 56% 57% n/a n/a Dollars to Grocery Stores $633,810 $519,156 $93,699

InWascoandShermanCounties,64.6%ofWICclientfamilieshavehouseholdincomesatorbelowthefederalpovertylevel.123

WIC’sfoodvouchersareofprimaryinterestinthisreport.Thesevouchersprovideanaverageof$44innutritiousfoodstoeachparticipantmonthly.124InadditiontohelpingimprovethehealthandnutritionofWICclients,thesevouchersstrengthenOregon’seconomy.In2008,WICvouchersspentatgrocerystorestotaled$70million.125WICparticipantscanredeemvouchersatthefollowingauthorizedsitesinHoodRiverandWascoCounty.TherearenoauthorizedsitesinShermanCounty.

ColumbiaMarket(CascadeLocks) Jim’sMarket(MtHood) McIsaac’sStore(Parkdale) Mid‐ValleyStore(Odell)

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RiteAid(HRandTheDalles) Rosauers(HR) Safeway(HRandTheDalles) FredMeyer Walgreens(HoodRiverandTheDalles) MaupinMarket(Maupin)

AllWashingtonfamiliesusingWICvouchersin2008generated$127millionspentatgrocerystoresand$738,000inpurchasesthroughtheWICFarmersMarketNutritionProgram.126

KlickitatandSkamaniaCountydonotcurrentlyhaveWICFarmersMarketNutritionPrograms,asthereisalackoflocalfarmersmarketsthatcanimplementtheprogram.In2011,theKlickitatCountyWICofficewillpartnerwithDickey’sFarmsFarmStandtoprovideWICfamilieswithWICFarmers’MarketNutritionvouchers.

InAugust2009,theWICprogrammadeitsbiggesttransformationinmorethan30years.TheWICfoodpackagewasamendedtoencourageclientstoeatmorefruitsandvegetables;increasewholegrainandfiberconsumption;lowersaturatedfatinthediet;drinkfewersweetenedbeverages,includingjuice;andexclusivelybreastfeedtheirbabies.InOregon,thisprojectiscalledFreshChoices.Keynutritionmessagesincludevaryingvegetablesandfocusingonfruit.

Costisthemostcommonbarriertoaccessingfreshfruitsandvegetables.However,theFreshChoicesprogramprovidesparticipantswithavouchervaluedbetween$6and$10eachmonthtopurchasefreshandfrozenfruitsandvegetables.127Inthepast,carrotsweretheonlyvegetablethatcouldbepurchasedwithWICvouchers.TheFarmDirectNutritionProgramprovidesanotheravenueforWICparticipantstoaccessfreshfruitsandvegetables.

RegionalImpactsoftheOregonandWashingtonFarmDirectNutritionProgramandSeniorFarmersMarketNutritionProgramTheOregonFarmDirectNutritionProgram(FDNP)isastateadministeredfederalnutritionprogramthatbroughtmorethanonemilliondollarsintothehandsofOregonfarmersin2009.WICclientsandeligiblelow‐incomeseniorsparticipateintheFarmDirectNutritionProgram.TheFDNPprovidesWICfamilieswithvouchersworth$20topurchasefresh,locallygrownfruit,vegetablesandherbsdirectlyfromauthorizedfarmersatfarmstandsandfarmers’markets.InformationisalsoprovidedtoWICFDNPrecipientsonhowtopreparethesefoods.

ValueofFDNPWICCoupons,2008 Wasco County Hood River County Oregon Dollars to Farmers $3,858 unavailable $426,000

ThesevouchersaredistributedtoalimitednumberofWICclients:in2009,216participatedinFDNPinWascoCounty;theredemptionrateis85%.128

TheFDNPprovidesseniorswithvouchersworth$30topurchasefresh,locallygrownfruit,vegetablesandherbsdirectlyfromauthorizedfarmersatfarmstandsandfarmers’markets.In2009,theSeniorsandPeoplewithDisabilitiesDivisionofDHSinvited345WascoandSherman

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CountyseniorstoparticipateinFDNP;232seniorsreceivedthevouchers,andtheredemptionrateistobedetermined.129

Nofarmstandsorfarmer’smarketsareFDNPauthorizedinShermanCounty.ThesiteswhereparticipantscanredeemFDNPvouchersinWascoCountyarelimited.

FDNPAuthorizedSitesinWascoCountyFarmers’ Markets Farm Stands Maupin Farmers’ Market Seed to Table Farm (Maupin) The Dalles Farmers’ Market Forest Evans Orchard (The Dalles) Renken Farms (The Dalles)

FDNPvouchersareanothervaluableincomestreamforlocalfarmers.LimitedFDNPsitesinWascoandShermanCountiesmakevoucherredemptionchallengingforrecipients.Inanefforttoincreasetherangeofshoppingoptionsforvoucherrecipients,TheDallesFarmers’Marketencouragedandregistered11newproducersin2009.

FDNPAuthorizedSitesinHoodRiverCountyFarmers’ Markets Farm Stands GorgeGrownFarmers’Market(HoodRiver)

Alice’sOrchardandFruitStand(HR)

HoodRiverSaturdayMarket(HoodRiver)

CodyOrchardFruitStand(Odell)

KinseyOrchard(HR)

KiyokawaFamilyOrchards(Parkdale)Mt.ViewOrchardsFruitStand(Parkdale)

PackerOrchards(HR) RasmussenFarms(HR) Smiley’sRedBarn(HR)

NoteveryWICfamilyreceivesthechecks–theyarefirstcome,firstserve.In2008,HoodRiverCountydistributed262checkpacketsandhadawaitinglist.Statelevelfundingforthisprogramhasnotincreasedwithcaseloadrateincreases.Theredemptionratein2007was73%,2008redemptionrateswerenotyetavailablefor2008.130

CountysiteswhereWICshopperscanredeemtheircouponsarelocatedinthemajorthreepopulationcentersinthecounty,helpingensuretheireaseofredemption.

Startingin2010,farmersmayregistertoacceptthenewWICfruitandvegetablecashvaluevoucher(worth$6to$10eachmonth)forfreshproduceyearround.TheFDNPwillcontinuetobeseasonalandwillnotbereplacedbythenewvouchers.131

TheSeniorsFarmersMarketNutritionProgram,partoftheSeniorNutritionProgram,isintendedtoprovidelocallygrownfreshfruitsandvegetablestolow‐incomeadultsovertheageof60.132Theprogram,fundedbytheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,helpstoimprovenutritionofolderadults

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byprovidingthemwithvoucherstheycanusetopurchasefoodsatparticipatingfarmers’markets.22

TheKlickitatCountySeniorServicesprovidesvoucherstoolderadultsinwesternKlickitatCountywhocanusethematDickey’sFarmsinBingen,whichin2010,wastheonlyfarminthecountycontractedasaprovider.In2009,theKlickitatCountySeniorServicesdistributed127vouchers,eachworth$40,toolderadultsinthecounty.In2010,theyhavereceived129vouchers,whichwasthehighestnumberofvoucherstheyhavebeenprovidedwithtodistributetoolderadultssincethestartoftheSeniorsFarmersMarketNutritionPrograminKlickitatCounty.133

In2008,theSkamaniaCountySeniorServicesreceivedapproximately50voucherstodistributetoolderadultslivinginthecounty.AsinKlickitatCounty,in2010,SkamaniaCountySeniorServicesreceivedmorevoucherstodistributethantheyearbefore,totaling64vouchers.134

WIC and Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program needs and ideas:

- MorecookingclassesforWICclients,potentiallyutilizingdonatedfreshproducefromfarmersand/orfarmers’marketstosupplementlimitedclassbudgetsandhelpclientsusetheircouponstotakeadvantageoffresh,seasonalproduce

- IncreasedWICandSeniorFDNPcouponavailabilityforallinterestedfamilies- IncreasednumberofproducersparticipatingintheFDNPprogramforincreasedshopper

options

SupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP)ThefederalSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP,formerlytheFoodStampProgram)providesafoodsafetynetfor313,000low‐incomeOregonhouseholds.Thefederalgovernmentauthorizedthecurrentprogramin1977withthegoalofalleviatinghungerandmalnutritionbysubsidizingthefoodexpendituresoflow‐incomehouseholds.InOregon,familieswithincomesupto185%ofthefederalpovertylineareeligibleforsomelevelofSNAPbenefits.SNAPisadministeredbytheOregonDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS)Children,AdultsandFamilies(CAF)Division.135InWashington,SNAPisadministeredbytheDepartmentofSocialandHealthServices(DSHS).

TheintentofSNAPistohelpimprovethehealthandwellbeingoflow‐incomehouseholdsandindividuals.SNAPbenefitsdonotsatisfythefoodneedsofahouseholdoranindividual,butrathersupplementnutritionalneeds.InMay2009,theaveragemonthlybenefitinOregonandWashingtonwasabout$250perhousehold.136

TheOregonCenterforPublicPolicyemphasizesseveralkeyfactsaboutfoodstampuseinOregon137:

OregonSNAPhouseholdsreceive,onaverage,$1dollarperpersonpermealinbenefits.

TheUSDAestimatesthateatingalow‐costbutnutritionallyadequatedietofhome‐cookedmealsforamonthwouldcostabout$2.40permealforanadultmanandabout$2.10permealforanadultwoman.1

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SNAPbrought$463millionfederaldollarsintotheOregoneconomyin2007,generatingapproximately$832millioninneweconomicactivity,benefitingfarmers,grocersandsmallbusinesses.About82%ofOregonSNAPbenefitsgotohouseholdswithchildren,manyinworkingfamilies.Mostoftheotherbenefitsgotohouseholdswithseniorsorpeoplewithdisabilities.

UnmetNeeds:intheUnitedStates,inOregon,inWashington,intheGorgeNationally,only60%ofthoseeligibleforfoodstampsreceivethem.Oregon’srateishigher,77%in2006,butHoodRiver’srateisbelowthestateaverageat63%in2006(seechartbelow).Continuingoutreacheffortsareneededtoensurethateligiblefamiliesareabletoaccessthebenefits.AccordingtotheOregonCenterforPublicPolicy,increasingtheshareofeligiblehouseholdsthatparticipateinSNAPbyjustfivepercentagepointswouldprovidefoodstampstoanadditional26,000low‐incomeOregonians,bringabout$18millionintoourlocaleconomy,andresultinabout$33millioninneweconomicactivityinthestate.138InHoodRiver,thevalueisestimatedatapproximately$985,000(seechart).

SNAPfiguresforHRCandOregon,2003and2008

Hood River County

FOOD STAMP ACTIVITY MONTH OF

JULY

POP11 EST POP IN POVERTY12

TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS

TOTAL PERSONS

BENEFIT PER HH

% OF POP PARTICIPATING

2003 20,450 2,845 848 1,972 $164.90 9.6 2008 21,470 3,105 947 2,380 $224.38 11.1

Oregon

2003 3,504,700 388,740 202,662 405,778 160.81 11.6 2008 3,745,455 497,319 249,585 482,407 185.97 12.9

SNAPparticipationratesandeconomicvalueofbenefits,HRCandOregon,2005and2006

Hood River County

YEAR PARTICIPATION RATE13

ANNUAL VALUE

OF FOOD STAMPS14

VALUE OF INCREASING

PARTICIPATION15

2005 61 % $2,243,187 $1,042,803 2006 63 % 2,312,571 985,428 11 Population by county is based upon certified estimates from 2002 and 2007 from the population research center, Portland State University. 12 The number of persons in poverty is based upon 2000 and 2005 census information from the U.S. Census Bureau and does not include people in military barracks, institutional group quarters or children in foster care. 13 Monthly participants divided by the number of people earning 130 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines according to U.S. Census data. 14 The total value of federal food-stamp dollars going to participants in each county. Data provided by DHS. 15 The average between the estimated value of the minimum and maximum annual increases.

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Oregon 2005 77 % 457,978,544 99,796,381 2006 77 % 464,295,240 97,457,795 Source: Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force analysis of Department of Human Services and 2000 Census

PercentofchildrenparticipatinginSNAP,HRCandOregon,2003

% OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN SNAP

Hood River County

State of Oregon

January 2003 16 17.9 20.0

Source: OSU Extension Service, “Poverty and Food Assistance in Hood River County”139

Beginninginlate2000,Oregon’saggressiveexpansionoftheFoodStampProgramimprovedthestate’shungerrates.140Byexpandingeligibilityforfoodstamps,makingtheapplicationprocesssimplerandfundingoutreachtoeligiblefamilies,OregonmarkedlyincreasedthenumberofOregoniansreceivingfoodstamps.Howeverin2009,SNAPparticipationrates,whichrosemorethan28%inOregonduringtheeconomicdownturn,increasedalongsidefoodinsecurityrates,leavingOregonthesecondhungrieststateinthecountry.141

Nationally,only60%ofthoseeligibleforSNAPreceivebenefits.142Oregon’sparticipationrateisoneofthehighestinthecountry,79%in2007(seechartbelow).Yetcontinuedoutreacheffortsareneededtoensurethateligiblehouseholdsareaccessingbenefits.AccordingtotheOregonCenterforPublicPolicy,increasingtheshareofeligiblehouseholdsparticipatinginSNAPbyjustfivepercentagepointswouldprovidebenefitstoanadditional26,000low‐incomeOregonians,bringabout$18millionintoourlocaleconomy,andresultinabout$33millioninneweconomicactivityinthestate.InWascoandShermanCounties,thevalueofincreasingparticipationratesisestimatedat$794,197.

2007SNAPEligibilityData

Participation

Rate People not

Participating Value of Increasing

Participation Wasco County 80% 898 $673,602 Sherman County 59% 166 $120,595 Oregon 79% 117,839 $93,957,962

2007 Oregon Food Stamp Participation at the County Level, Oregon Hunger Task Force and Oregon Food Bank InNovember2009,SNAPactivitythroughTheDallesDHSbranchofficetotaled2,829householdsand5,290people.Thisfigurerepresents20.8%oftheWascoandShermanCountypopulation.(BecauseShermanCountydoesnothaveaDHSbranchoffice,residentsmostlikelyaccessTheDallesofficeforservices.)Theaveragebenefitperhouseholdwas$213.58.143

SNAPParticipationbyCounty:2008and2009

Participants June 2008

Participants June 2009

% Change Annual Value of SNAP Dollars

16 Oregon Department of Human Services

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Wasco County 3,855 4,422 14.7% $5,048,473 Sherman County 265 272 2.6% $322,768 Oregon 479,405 614,630 28.2% $722,831,277

Special SNAP Report: Food Security and the Economic Crisis, Oregon Hunger Task Force and Oregon Food Bank AsofJune2009,18.6%oftheWascoCountypopulationand16.6%oftheShermanCountypopulationparticipatedinSNAP.

KlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesResidentsofKlickitatandSkamaniaCountythatqualifyforSNAPreceivethemthroughtheDepartmentofSocialandHealthServices(DSHS).TheDSHSofficesinKlickitatCountyaretheWhiteSalmonBranchCommunityServicesofficeandtheGoldendaleBranchCommunityServicesoffice.TheDSHSofficeinSkamaniaCountyislocatedattheStevensonBranchCommunityServicesoffice.

InApril2009,15.5%ofthepopulationinKlickitatCountyand11.4%ofthepopulationinSkamaniaCountyreceivedSNAPbenefits.

AsofMarch2010,17.9%oftheKlickitatCountypopulationreceivedSNAPbenefits,42%ofwhomarechildren.AsofMarch2010,14.1%oftheSkamaniaCountypopulationreceivedSNAPbenefits;ofthat40.5%arechildren.

In2010,theaverageSNAPbenefitsperhouseholdhaveaveraged$252.85.In2009,theaveragewas$276.73.ThedecreaseinSNAPbenefitsin2010suggeststhattherearemoreworkingpoorfamiliesandindividualswithslightlyhigherincomesthanyearspriorareapplyingforSNAPbenefits.WorkingpoorfamiliesthathavehigherincomesreceivelessSNAPbenefitsthanworkingpoorfamilieswithlowerincomesorfamiliesthatdonotreceiveanincome.

FarmDirectSalesandSNAPTraditionally,SNAPclientshavebeenunabletousetheirbenefitstopurchasefooddirectfromlocalfarmers:infrastructuralrequirementsforacceptingfoodstamps(includingelectronicbenefittransfermachines)havemadetheprograminaccessibletofarmers.

However,moreandmorefarmers’marketsacrossthenationhaveregisteredtobecomefoodstampretailers,allowingfarmers’marketvendorstoselltoSNAPclients.TheDallesFarmers’MarketbeganacceptingSNAPin2009.Thisseason,themarketprocessed94foodstamptransactionstotalingnearly$2,000.SNAPclientsregularlyvisitedthemarketbutnotinnearproportiontothenumberofconsumersreceivingSNAPbenefitsinWascoCounty.Thisdemonstratesneedforincreasedmarketingandoutreach,andpotentiallyincentiveprograms,tohelpSNAPclientsaccessthemarket.SeveralCommunityFoodSurveyrespondentsreportedadesireforamoreaffordablefarmers’market.DuringitsfirstmarketseasoninMaupin,theGorgeGrownMobileFarmers’MarketacceptedSNAPbenefits.AccordingtotheGorgeGrownFoodNetwork,theMaupinsiteaveragedonetothreeSNAPtransactionseachweek.AlthoughtheGorgeGrownMobileMarketsiteinDufurhasthecapacitytoacceptSNAPbenefits,thelackofwirelessphonesignalaccessinDufurprohibitstransactions.

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HoodRiverCounty’sGorgeGrownFarmers’MarkethasacceptedSNAPbenefitssince2007.Whileexactsalesfiguresfor2007and2008areunavailable,marketstaffconfirmedthatSNAPclientsvisitedthemarketwithregularityduringtheseseasons,butnotinproportiontotheirpresenceinthecounty:thereisroomforincreasedmarketing,andpotentiallyincentivesprograms,tohelpSNAPclientsaccessthemarket.SeveralsurveyrespondentsintheCommunityFoodSurveyreportedthatonereasontheydonotshopatthefarmers’marketisthattheydonotbelievethemarketacceptsSNAPbenefits.Thisindicatesaneedforincreasedoutreach.

Inaddition,preliminaryworkisunderwayinOregontopilothavingCommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA)farmseligibletoacceptSNAPbenefitsforweeklyfarmshares.144

SPOTLIGHT:SNAPBenefitsDiscussionIn2009,theEBTprogramgenerated3.2%oftotalmarketsalesatTheDallesFarmers'Market.Therewasanaverageof5.2SNAPtransactionspermarketwithanaveragetransactionvalueof$23.19.Thisaverageisextremelylowgiventhat4,422WascoCountyresidentsparticipatedinSNAPinJune2009—18.6%ofthecounty’spopulation.ThemajorityofSNAPrecipientsdonotknowthatTheDallesFarmers’MarketacceptsSNAPbenefitsorhavereasonsfornotredeemingSNAPbenefitsatthemarket.Thisdemonstratestheneedtoincreaseoutreacheffortstolow‐incomefamiliesandindividualsreceivinggovernmentassistancewhostruggletoaccessandaffordfreshproduceandlocalfood.

Althoughthisgovernmentnutritionassistanceprogramimprovedaccesstofresh,localfoodsforlow‐incomeindividualsandprovidedanewincomestreamformarketvendors,useoftheEBTprogramwaslow.IncoordinationwiththeMid‐ColumbiaCouncilofGovernments,thefarmers’marketfacilitatedadiscussionwith10TANFandSNAPrecipientstodeterminehowthemarketcouldimprovetheprograminthenextseason.TheTANF(TemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies)programprovidescashassistancetolow‐incomefamilieswithchildrentoaidtheminbecomingself‐sufficient.ToqualifyforTANF,familiesmusthaveveryfewassets,andlittleornoincome.LiketheSNAPprogram,TANFbenefitsarenotintendedtoprovideforafamily’sfullneeds,buttoassistwithneedsandconnectindividualstocommunityandgovernmentresourceswhiletheyseekemployment.Theresultsofthisdiscussionaresummarizedbelow.

AlthoughallparticipantswereawarethatTheDallesFarmers’MarketacceptedtheOregonTrailCardin2009,mostdidnotshopatthemarket.Reasonsincludedforgetting,transportationchallenges,inconvenientdayandtime,andlackofsignagedirectingSNAPclientstotheEBTmachinebooth.Mostparticipantsviewedthefarmers’marketasmoreexpensivethangrocerystores.

Whatmightinfluenceyoutousethemarketregularly?

- Bettervarietyoffruitsandvegetables- Largerquantities- Lowerprices- Incentiveprogram- Moreconvenientlocation- Reliabilityofproductsavailable

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- Knowingwhat’savailableinadvance- Cleardistinctionbetweenwho’ssellingandwho’sincharge- MorevolunteerstomaninformationboothandEBTmachine- Moreadvertising

ParticipantsidentifiedthefollowingbarrierstoaccessingtheSNAPprogramatTheDallesFarmers’Market:vendorslackingknowledgeabouttheEBT/SNAPprogram;feelinguncomfortableatthemarket(becausepriceswerenotdisplayed,etc.);transportation,timeandgas;ineffectiveoutreach/advertising.

Althoughparticipantsunderstoodthevalueofpurchasingandconsumingfreshproduceandsupportinglocalfarmersandthecommunity,thebarriersforthisultralow‐incomegrouptoaccessthemarketsupersede.TheinaccessibilityoftheEBTmachineandmarketingeneral,andthelackofoutreachappeartobelargerissuesthancostconcerns.

SNAPNeedsandIdeas- ContinueongoingoutreachtoensurethatalleligibleGorgeresidentssignupforSNAP

benefits- IncreaseSNAP‐eligibleshoppinglocationsinruralGorgecommunities

SNAPNeedsandIdeas:Farmers’Markets

- WorkwithmarketstaffandGorgeGrownFoodNetworktoensurevendorsareeffectivelytrainedandfamiliarwiththeEBT/SNAPprogram

- Improveeducationalhandoutsandboothsignage- Workwithmarketstaffandvendorstodisplayclearfoodpricesonindividualbooths- Considerofferingvalueprice‐per‐poundoptionsforlargequantities- ImprovesignagedirectingSNAPcustomerstotheEBTmachineandlisting“dealsofthe

day”orbargains.- BannerwithSNAPlogoatmarketinformationbooth- Increasedoutreachtounderrepresentedpopulations- Placepromotionalmaterialsthroughoutthecommunity,targetinglow‐incomeservice

locations- Movefarmers’marketbannertodifferentlocationsintownthroughouttheseason- RecruitvolunteerstoassistwithEBTandinformationboothshifts

“Ittakesfivepoundsofpotatoesforonemealatmyhouse.Forittobemoreworthwhileforme,Ishopquantity.Becauseotherwise,withwhattheygiveusonfoodstamps,youcan’tmakeendsmeetwhenyou’vegotabiggerfamilyandtheyeatlikethatsoandthat’showIshop.Icomparebyquantity.Twelvelittlepotatoesfor$1,howmanyofthose12potatoesisitgoingtotaketofeedeachandeverybodyinyourfamily?You’relookingatpriceperpoundandhowmuchitcostsforawholemeal.Ifyou’repaying$20foronemealforyourfamily,that’s$60adayifyou’rehavingthreemealsadayandyoujustcan’tafforditwhenyou’reonfoodstamps.”

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- Explorecommunity‐supported,money‐savingincentives:SNAPdollarperdollarmatch,coupons,discountcards,sales,FarmBucks

- ExploreanarrangementwiththeTransportationNetworkandMid‐ColumbiaCouncilofGovernmentstoprovideabusservicetoCityParkonSaturdays

CommunityVoicesonEBTandTheDallesFarmers’MarketBelowarequotesfromlowincomeTANFandSNAPclientsontheEBT/OregonTrailCardand

TheDallesFarmers’Market.

“IfIknewthatcucumberswerefivefor$1there,ifyouguyshadadvertisedthataheadoftime,I’dforcemyselftogothereeveryweek.”

“Ithinkitwouldbebettertoadvertisewhatthey’regoingtohavethatweekend.”

“Ithinkthatitneedstobeadvertisedwaybetter.Therearenosignsoranythingdirectingyoutothatboothwhereyougetthetokens.”

“Yes,thetastedifferenceyoucanreallytell.Rightoffthefarm.”

“Manthatwasthehighlightofmyweekendyouguys.Itwasreallycoolthatwecould

useittobuyplants.”

“Ithinkiftheywouldhaveadvertisedalittlebitmore,Iwouldhavebeendowntheremore.”

“Biggerquantity,morevariety.Tome,Ishopquantity.It’snotworthjustgoingandgettingalittlebitofsomethingbecausethatlittlebitjustfeedsoneofmykids.”

“Ineverreallywenttothemarket.Ilivewayoverthereonthewestend.”

“Hitandmiss.”

“Ifyoudon’tfindanything,youjustwastedallthatgas.”

“IthinkIwentintothefarmers’marketwithatotallydifferentattitude.Iwouldindulgemyself.Thatwasmysplurgingfortheweek,goingtothefarmers’market.Isetthatmoneyasidetogoplaywith,togohavefun.”

“Selection.Ihavesixkidsthatliveinmyhomesoit’sreallyaboutquantity.Thefarmers’marketIlikebecauseImakealotoffreshsalsa.Ipreferlocallygrownstuff.Ithinkthatittastesbetter.IthinkIwouldhavebeentheremoreifIwouldhaveknownmoreaboutitorknewhoweasilyaccessibleitwas.It’snotrealhelpfulevenonceyou’rethere.You’restillprettylost.”

“IbuymorevegetablesandfruitthanIdomeat.”

“Itputsbackinthecommunityandhopefullythecommunitywillputbackintoitsownpeople.”

“Ithinkthere’sroomfordefiniteimprovement.”

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AdditionalFoodAccessSources:HoodRiverCounty

SoulCaféSoulCaféwasalocalnon‐profitcoffeehouseandcommunitygatheringspace,andofferedafreecommunitymealeverySundayinHoodRiversince2003,inadditiontoanannualfreeThanksgivingdinner.SoulCafé’sfreemealsitewastheonlyconsistentfreemealavailableinthecounty,thoughseveralareachurchesoffermealsonalimitedbasis.However,asofspring2010,SoulCaféhascloseditsdoors.

TwopercentofsurveyrespondentsreportaccessingSoulCaféforfood;anadditional3.4%reportedaccessing“church/communityorganizations”,whichmayincludeothersitesoffreecommunitymeals.

MealsonWheelsandSeniorMealSitesInHoodRiverCounty,manyseniorsrelyontheHoodRiverValleyAdultCenter’s(HRVAC)MealsonWheelsandon‐sitelunchmealsforlowcostmeals.Aprepared‐from‐scratchhotlunchisavailabledailyfor$3.50(lessforthosewithfinancialneed),withfrozenmealspreparedforweekends.HRVACstaffreportserving26‐30mealsviaMealsonWheelseachweek,andanother30seniorsdailyatthecenter.Longtermtrenddatawasunavailable.

HRVACstaffreportthatmanylow‐incomeseniorswhofrequentthelunchestakeadditionalportionshomeforasecondmeal;thispracticeisallowedandencouragedtoensurethattheseseniorsaregettingthefoodtheyneed.

Theprogramwelcomesdonationsfromhomegardenersandfarmerstosupplementitslimitedbudget.In2008,theGorgeGrownMobileFarmers’Marketdonatedover$500worthoffreshproducetotheprogram,includingfruitsandvegetables.

Staffstrivetomeetseniors’nutritionalneedsandprovidethefooditemstheywant,whichinclude:“meatandpotatoes”dishes,bread,fillingcarbohydrates,andfamiliarvegetableslikegreenbeans,tomatoes,andcarrots.145

TemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)ProgramTheTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)programprovidescashassistancetolow‐incomefamilieswithchildrentoaidtheminbecomingself‐sufficient.Theprogram'sgoalistoreducethenumberoffamilieslivinginpoverty,throughemployment,education,andcommunityresources.146

ToqualifyforTANF,familiesmusthaveveryfewassetsandlittleornoincome.Thecurrentmaximummonthlybenefitforafamilyofthreeis$528.147LiketheSNAPprogram,TANFbenefits

Soul Café Goal: To create a place where people of all ages can gather and be present with openness, freedom, love, and respect - learning from and with one another.

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arenotintendedtoprovideforafamily’sfullneeds,buttosupplementthemandconnectfamiliestoasmanyothercommunityandgovernmentresourcesaspossiblewhiletheyseekemployment.

ThereissignificantoverlapbetweenTANF,SNAP,andWICprogramsinthecounty,butprecisefiguresonhowmuchsowereunavailable.In2008,TANFenrollmentfluctuatedbetween64and91families,asmallfractionofthepopulationcomparedtofamiliesenrolledwithWICorSNAP.148

GleaningGleaningistheactofcollectinguseablefoodfromsourceswhere,ifnotgleaned,itwouldgotowaste.Traditionally,thiswasapracticedoneinfarmers’fieldsafterthemainharvest;todayitcanalsoincludeworkingwithlocalgrocerystoresandrestaurants.

Itisahands‐on,volunteer‐driven,“do‐it‐yourself”methodbywhichpeoplecansupplementtheirfoodsupplyandhelpothersinneedatthesametime.Manygleaninggroupscollectfoodnotonlyforthemselvesbutforlocalfoodbanks,mealsites,andfor‘adoptees’–communitymemberswhoareunabletogleanthemselvesbutwhohaveunmetfoodneeds.

Today,morethan10,000low‐incomehouseholdsbelongto25gleaningorganizationsthroughoutOregon.ThereiscurrentlynoorganizedgleaningactivityinHoodRiverCounty.149

Localindividualsreportthatorganizedgleaninghasnotoccurredinthecountysincethe1980’s.Somelocalfarmersdoreportallowinggleaningintheirfields,butonlytofarmworkersorotherindividualsassociatedwiththefarm(neighbors,employees,family,etc).Growerswhoallowgleaningareeligiblefortaxcreditsandprotectedfromliability.150

Only1.8%ofconsumersurveyrespondentsreportedgleaningasasignificantsourceoffood,but33.3%ofcountyresidentsreportedhavinggleanedatsomepointintimeinthecounty.

Whilethissurveydidnotassesswhereresidentsmighthavegleaned,itissurmisethatmuchofthisgleaningactivitytakesplaceinlocalorchards,giventhepreponderanceoforchardsonthecounty’sagriculturalland.

Additionally,19.1%ofrespondentswithnogleaningexperiencereportedaninterestinlearningmoreaboutthepractice.Thisinterestlevelindicatesanopportunityforthecountytobothreducehungerandreducefoodwaste.

AdditionalFoodAccessSources:WascoandShermanCounties

St.VincentdePaulMinistry

For26years,churchgroups,serviceorganizationsandfamilieshavecookedfreecommunitymealsattheSt.VincentdePaulMinistryinTheDalles.“It’sforeverybody,”saidPatLucas,communitymealprogramcoordinator.“It’sacommunitymealforeveryonetositdownandeattogether.”

Includingtakeoutmeals,thesiteservesabout45people,threedaysaweek.InOctober2009,thesiteserved689mealsand386people.Thisdemonstratesanincreaseof261mealsand110peoplefromSeptember2009.AccordingtoLucas,numbersincreasewithcolderweather.151Thedifference

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inthenumberofmealsandnumberofpeopleservedisduetotheoptionforpeopletotakeleftoverfoodasa“takeout”meal.

Localorganizationsfundtheprogram,whichreceivesdonationsfromprivateindividualsandchurches.ThesitealsoreceivesOregonFoodBankandUSDAfoodfromMCCAC,andcollaborateswiththeSt.VincentdePaulandSalvationArmyfoodpantriesinTheDallestoshareandtradefood.Thelargestneedforthefacilityistoupdatecookingappliancesandtohavealargeenoughsupplyofknives,forksandspoonstosupportthenumberofclientsserved.Inthesummer,theministrywelcomesfreshproducedonations.

BreadandBlessingsisanothercommunitymealprogramthatofferslunchMondaythroughFridayinthisfacility.Becauseofthesetwoprograms,thereisafreemealavailableeverydayoftheweekinTheDalles.

MealsonWheelsandCongregateMealSites

ThroughtheMid‐ColumbiaCouncilofGovernments,theAreaAgencyonAgingfundstwohomedeliveredmealprogramsinWascoandShermanCounties.TheMealsonWheelsprogramisdesignedtoprovideonenutritiousmealaday,sevendaysaweekalongwithsafetychecksforclients.Dedicatedvolunteersdeliverthemealstoeligiblehomeboundindividuals.Adults60yearsofageandolderwhoarehomebound(i.e.donotleavetheirhomeinregularcircumstances)andcannotpreparethreemealsadayontheirownareeligibletoreceivehome‐deliveredmeals.

TheAAAprovidesservicesthroughTheDallesMealsonWheelsinWascoCountyandMoroMealsonWheelsinShermanCounty.TheAAAalsoprovidesOlderAmericanActdollarsforsevencongregatemealsitesinWascoandShermanCounties.Mealsareprovidedtoadults60yearsofageandolderonadonationbasis(suggesteddonationamountsvarybetweensites).Individualslessthan60yearsofagearewelcometoeatatthesitesandarerequiredtopaythefullcostofthemeal,whichalsovariesbetweensites.152

BoththehomedeliveredmealsandthecongregatemealsmustcomplywiththeDietaryGuidelinesforAmericans.Theymustalsoprovideaminimumof33.33%ofthecurrentdailyRecommendedDietaryAllowancesasestablishedbytheFoodandNutritionBoardoftheNationalResearchCounciloftheNationalAcademyofSciences.

TheDalles:MealsonWheelsandCongregateMealSite

TheDallesMealsonWheelsprogram,basedattheMid‐ColumbiaSeniorCenter,delivershotmealsMondaythroughFridayandprovidesfrozenmealsfortheweekends.Theprogramserves75to80home‐deliveryclients.AttheSeniorCenter,hotlunchisservedfivedaysaweekfor60to115peopleaday.Includingcongregatemeals,TheDallesMealsonWheelsserves46,000mealsayear.153

AlthoughTheDallesMOWreceivesfundingthroughAAA,itsonceaweekbingofundraiserfillsinthegaps.Theprogramfacesfundingcutsthisyearandisinneedofvolunteersanddonations(foodandmonetary).Theprogramdoesreceiveandwelcomefreshproducedonationsfromthecommunityduringthesummer.

Moro:MealsonWheelsandCongregateMealSite

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TheMoroMealsonWheelsprogram,basedattheShermanCountySeniorCenter,deliverssevenfrozenmealsonedayaweek.Theprogramservessixhome‐deliveryclientsinthecounty.AttheSeniorCenter,lunchisservedfivedaysaweekfor12to35peopleaday.Predominately,seniorsparticipate.154

Althoughthenumberofcongregatemealsisincreasing,thenumberofhome‐deliveryclientshassignificantlydropped.AccordingtoJodiWhitley,ShermanCountySeniorCenterFoodServiceCoordinator,theMOWprogramhaslostclientswhohavemovedtonursinghomesortoTheDallestobeclosertomedicalservices.Currently,allofthehome‐deliveryclientsresideintheWasco/Rufusareas.

Onechallengefortheprogramisfindinghome‐deliverydrivers�MOWcurrentlyfunctionswithoneseniorvolunteerdeliverforthewholecounty.Becausetherearenotenoughvolunteerdrivers,MOWisnotadvertisingtheprogramtorecruitnewclients.“Therearedefinitelypeopleouttherewhocouldusethisservice,butwedon’thavethevolunteers,”Whitleysaid.

AlthoughtheMOWprogramreceivessomereimbursementfromAAA,theprogramispartiallyfundedbyShermanCounty.Becauseoftheamountoffreshproducedonationstheprogramreceives,itisabletoservefreshproduceeveryday.“Ihaveprobablysixfarmerswhogrowintheirgardensandbringexcesstome,”Whitleysaid,“Iknowtherearelotsofseniorsandotherpeopleinthecommunitywhocouldusethisfoodatareducedrate.Alotofourseniorssaythisistheirmainmealoftheday.They’reeatingtoastinthemorningandpopcornatnight.Iftherearesevenpeopledoingthat,thereareprobablythreedozendoingthatwhoneedtoknowweareavailable.”

Althoughthemealsitehasreceivednewclientelerecently,mostofthepeopleeatingattheMoroSeniorCenteralsovisittheMoropotlatchforlunchonWednesdays.OutreachandadvertisingiscomplicatedbystigmasregardingfoodassistancethatWhitleyrecognizesareespeciallystrongintheseniorpopulation.Transportationisanotherchallenge.ThecountyhasconsideredabusroutetobringpeoplefromsurroundingareastoMoroforlunchbutcannotjustifytheexpense.

PioneerPotlatchAssociationCongregateMealSites

“They’regoodattakingaFordmealandmakingaCadillacoutofit.155”

ThePioneerPotlatchAssociationhasoperatedinTheDallessince1975.ItservestheotherfivemealsitesinWascoandShermanCountiessupportedbytheMid‐ColumbiaCouncilofGovernments(MCCOG)AreaAgencyonAging.TherearethreepotlatchsitesinWascoCounty:Dufur(servingeveryWednesdayattheMethodistChurch),TyghValley(servingeveryThursdayattheTyghValleyCommunityCenter)andMosier(servingeveryMondayandWednesdayattheMosierCreekTerraceApartmentcomplex).WamicandMaupinmayhaveseniormealprogramsnotaffiliatedwiththePioneerPotlatchAssociation,butthisinformationcouldnotbeconfirmed.TherearetwopotlatchsitesinShermanCounty:Moro(servingeveryWednesdayatthePresbyterianChurch),andWasco(servingeveryMondayatSt.MaryCatholicChurch).

FromJulythroughOctober2009,thePioneerPotlatchAssociationservedanaverageof169peopleage60andolderpermonth.Moro:59permonthaverage;Wasco163permonthaverage;TyghValley:180permonthaverage;Dufur:204permonthaverage;Mosier240permonthaverage.

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FoodordersthroughMCCACanddonationsarecollectedinanddistributedfromtheassociation’swarehouse,whichhaslimitedcapacitytoacceptfreshproducedonations.AlthoughMCCOGadministersthefederalfundingfortheprogram,eachmealsitepaystheassociationapercentageofitsgrossincomeeachmonth.“Rightnowwe’rereallyallstrugglingformoney,”saidSueElliot,PioneerPotlatchOfficeManager,“It’sreallyhardrightnow.Themoneyjustisn’tcominginrightnowlikeitshould.We’vebeenthinkingaboutincreasingourprices.”

TyghValleyPotlatch

AcommunitymealisservedThursdaysattheTyghValleyCommunityCenter.Thisprogramserves50‐60peopleeachweek.Inaddition,volunteersmakethreetotenhomedeliveriesaweek.InadditiontothefoodavailablethroughthePioneerPotlatchAssociation,volunteersvisitTheDallesonceaweektoshopforlargequantitiesoffoodatdiscountstores.

Thesitealsoservesasaninformalemergencyfoodboxsite.“Withextrafoodinstorage,whensomeonecomesinandneedsfoodorsayssoandsoneedsfood,wegivethemabox,”saidLucillePeterson,TyghValleypotlatchcoordinator.Recently,thesitehasdistributedtwoorthreeboxesamonth.“Inthelastfewmonths,whenthingshavegottenworseandpeoplehavelosttheirjobs,we’reputtingoutmore,”Petersonsaid.

Thesiteaccumulatesdonatedoddsandends.Gardenproducedonatedinthesummerisagreathelp,butthesitelacksenoughrefrigerationtohandlethefreshfooditreceives.

WascoandMoroPotlatches

AcommunitymealisservedMondaysatSt.MaryCatholicChurchinWasco.Thesiteopenedasapotlatchinthesummerof2009andnowservesanaverageof50peopleofavarietyofageseachweek.AccordingtoCyndiAdams,Wascopotlatchvolunteer,thesitespreadsawarenessofitsservicebywordofmouthandbycallingcommunitymembersdirectly.

MostfoodusedinthemealscomesfromthePotlatchAssociation.However,foodisalsopurchasedfromdiscountstoresinTheDalles.

The Moro Potlatch serves lunch on Wednesdays. Data from this site is currently unavailable.

Gleaning

WindyRiverGleanersistheonlyorganizedgleaningactivityinWascoandShermanCounties.Somelocalfarmersreportallowinggleaningintheirfields,butmostlytofarmworkersorotherindividualsassociatedwiththefarm(neighbors,employees,family,etc.).Growerswhoallowgleaningareeligiblefortaxcreditsandprotectedfromliability.156

Morethan150peoplebelongtotheWindyRiverGleaners,withanaverageoftwoorthreenewmemberseachweek.Thesuggesteddonationforamembershipis$13andsixvolunteerhoursamonth,andbutnooneisturnedaway.Ifamemberisnotabletovolunteer,anothermembercanhelpcoverthehours.Volunteersdistributefoodto110to120familieseachFridayfromtheMid‐ColumbiaCommunityActionCouncilfoodwarehouseinTheDalles.

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Althoughthemembershipdonationhelpskeeptheprogramafloat,volunteersraiseadditionalfundssellingcoffeeattheMemaloosereststop.Gleanersreceiveoutdatedfoodfromlocalgrocerystores,bakeries,localfarmsandothergleaninggroupsineasternOregonandWashington.TheorganizationalsohastheopportunitytopurchaseOregonFoodBankfoodatareducedrate:$.08to$.16apound.“Wegetwhateverybodyelsedoesn’torderoffthefoodsharesheet,”saidMaryanneSchrader,157“IneverknowwhatIget,andit’sjustachallengetoputthingstogethertomakesurethere’ssomethingofequalvalue.”

Inthewinter,Gleanersstruggletofindfreshproduce.Inthesummer,theprogramreceivessubstantialdonationsfrombackyardgardensandfruittrees.Italsoacceptshome‐cannedgoods.Farmerscancallgleaners,andtheorganizationwillsendoutvolunteers.“Ijustkindofsurviveonwhateverpeopledonatetous,”Schradersaid.

AccordingtoSchrader,thememberswhoenjoytheprogramthemostaretheseniormemberswhoprobablyliveon$300to$400amonth.However,theagingpopulationofvolunteersisconcerning.“Ihaveoneladythat’sinher90s,andshelovestocomeandvolunteeronceaweek,”Schradersaid,“Butthey’renotphysicallyabletogooutandpickfruitandstufflikethat.It’sjusttoohardforthem.”

Whenthecherrymarketfloodedinthesummerof2009inWascoCounty,anexorbitantamountoffruitwaslefttorotonthetreesordumped.AlthoughGleanersdistributed10binsofcherries(about3,500pounds),theydidnothavethecapacitytohandlethelargequantityofcherrysurplusinthe2009season.

AccordingtoSchrader,mostGleanersmembersareskilledincanning,withtheexceptionoftheyoungermembers,asamethodoffoodpreservation(specificallywithfruit).“IhaveonegalthatlivesoutatDufur.She’sonlybeencanningtwoorthreeyears.Theydon’thaveelectricitysotheydoeverythingonagenerator.”

AlthoughtheprogramhasoperatedinTheDallesfor23years,itsneedsincludeastrongercommunityawarenessandvolunteerbase.

AdditionalFoodAccessSources:KlickitatandSkamaniaCounties

MealsonWheelsandSeniorMealSites

TheMealsonWheelsprogramsinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountyservedirectlyinthehomesofolderadultswhomayhavelimitedmobilityandcannotaccessfoodattheSeniorMealSites.TheMealsonWheelsprograminKlickitatCountyisbasedoutoffiveareas,Bickleton,Goldendale,Klickitat,LyleandWhiteSalmon.Approximately30individualsreceiveMealsonWheelsservicesinKlickitatCounty.TheMealsonWheelsprograminSkamaniaCounty,basedoutofStevenson,typicallyservesabout14individuals.

TherearefiveSeniorMealSitesinKlickitatCountylocatedinBickleton,Goldendale,Klickitat,Lyle,andWhiteSalmon.Onaverage,thereareabout270olderadultswhoparticipateregularlyinthemealsservedattheSeniorMealSites.InSkamaniaCounty,thereisoneSeniorMealSitelocatedat

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theSkamaniaCountyParksandRecreationinStevenson.Thereareapproximately130olderadultswhoreceivemealsattheSeniorMealSiteregularly.

Gleaning

TheRainbowValleyVolunteersGleaningProgram,throughtheWashingtonGorgeActionPrograms,iscomprisedofarearesidentswhohelptoreducewasteoffoodandproduceandincreasetheirself‐reliancebygleaning,orharvesting,unwantedfoodsfromlocalfarmsandgrocerystores.158Asof2010,therearethreegleaninggroupsthroughWGAPthataccessthousandsofpoundsoffoodyearly.26ParticipantskeepsomeofthefoodanddonatetherestfortheWGAPfoodbanks.

In2009,theKlickitatCountyHealthDepartmentpartneredwithWGAPtoenhancethegleaningprogrambydevelopingaharvestregistrythatarearesidentscansignuptohavetheirpersonalfruitandnuttreesandhomegardensharvestedbygleaners.Thisprogramisintendedtofurtherreducefoodwasteandincreaseaccesstolocal,freshandhealthyfoodsforgleanersandWGAPfoodbanks.

GorgeCommunityVoicesonFoodSecurityandEmergencyFoodBelowarequotesfromlocalresidentsfromcommunitygroupdiscussionsonfoodsecurityand

emergencyfoodintheColumbiaRiverGorge.

HoodRiverCounty

“Weneedmoreplacestousefoodstamps,forfreshfood.”

“Iwouldlovetotrygleaning.”

“WeneedtofindbetterwaystohelpfamiliesaccessfoodprogramslikeWICandresourceslikeFISH.”

“IwishwehadafoodbankmorethanonceamonthinCascadeLocks.”

“It'ssadthatwehavesuchabundanceinthiscommunity,andpeoplestillgohungry.”

“IntheLatinocommunity,therearetwoespeciallytoughtimes:April,whenworkislowbetweentreetrimmingtimeandtreethinningtime,andinthewinter,whenthereismuchlesswork.”

“Manyfamiliesjustleaveinthewintersincethere’snowork.”

“IvolunteerattheF.I.S.H.foodbankeveryothermonth.Iseemanypeoplewhocomeback,monthaftermonth‐theyare"regulars."IalsoseemanynewfaceseachtimeI'mthere.Iamsaddenedbyacoupleofthings:(1)Manyofthesehungrypeoplewillnotchoosecertainitemstofilltheirbags(suchasfrozenliver,or"weird"vegetablesthatshowupfromtimetotime);and(2)Iwish,ideally,thatthereweremoreappealing,wholesomechoicesinthepre‐made,basic‐needsbagsthatareautomaticallygiventoeachperson.Irealize,however,thattheyareblessedtoevenhavethisfoodinthefirstplace,sincetheywouldn'tbethereiftheycouldaffordtobuybetterqualityfood.”

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“Whatcanwedoaboutthesegrocerystoresthrowingawayproducethatisunsightly,orslightlyblemished,andgettingthemtodonatetosoupkitchensoratleastforcompost?”

“WeseehungrypeopleattheclinicwhodonotwanttogotoFISHforfearofdeportation.Couldwebringthefoodhere?”

WascoandShermanCounty

“Ihadaniecewhohadthreedaughters.Shewouldhavequalifiedfortheassistanceandwouldneverdreamtogoinandgetafoodbox.Sometimesthepridegetsinthewayoffeedingyourkids.Especiallyinasmalltownlikethat,Idon’tknowhowyoucouldaddressitbecauseeverybodyknowseverybodyelse.”

“Weareathreegenerationhouseholdjusttryingtomakeendsmeet.Noonecanaffordtoliveontheirown.Grandpa,Grandma,adultdaughter,twogranddaughters,adultson.”

“WhenIfirstcametoWascoCountyIdidfacetimeswhenIwasinsecureaboutmyfamilymeals.FoodcostsdidseemhighwhenIwasstrugglingwithmoney.Iwouldhaveparticipatedincommunitygardens.”

“Ifeelafraidmyincomecannotsupportmeduetotherisingcostofliving.”

“Wheretogoorcallforhelp?”

“Gleanersisagreatdeal.”

“StVincentdePauldoesawonderfuljobfeedingsomanyinsuchaneedysmalltown.”

“Idoworryabouttherisingnumberofpeoplehavingtoaccessfoodpantriesbecauseitsuggestswearenotdoingagoodjobofhelpingpeoplebuyhealthy,affordablefood.OurgardenisVERYsmallandtendingalargerone,togivefoodaway,isn'tpossiblewithourownhealthsituation.Butwedocontributefinanciallytofoodbanksandwithcannedgoods.Iwonderhoweasilyperishablefoodscouldbedistributedtopeoplewhoneedit?Sodistributionissuesareofinterest.”

“Iamconcernedaboutfoodcostsasoilpricesriseinthefuture,aswellasthecosttodrivetoTheDallesforshoppingandwork.”

“NeedafoodbankorcommoditiesinRufus.”

“Intheeventofacatastrophe,itwouldbenicetohavealocalfoodbankcompletelystockedforourcommunitytodrawfrom.”

“TheLatinocommunityisprettyeducatedonwhattogetwhere.Believeitornot,theydohavealotofservicesthatsomepeoplemightnotknowaboutifthey’renotfromamixedfamily.TheonesIseestrugglingaretheSamoans.”

“DoyouthinklessofmebecauseIusethefoodbank?”

“Idon’tthinktheaccessisthatgreat.Youhavetogofromplacetoplacetohunt.”

“ThewayIlookatitisifyouareyoungandablebodiedandcan’tfindthisstuff,you’rejustnottryingtoohard.”

KlickitatandSkamaniaCounty

“Foodhasgoneoutofreachformanyduetocost.Iamawiseshopper:usecoupons,buycow,gardenandwestillstrugglewithaone‐incomehouseholdwiththreespecialneedkids.[Wehavea]limited

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incomeandminimalresources.”

“Weprobablygetaquarter(1/4)ofit[fruitsandvegetables].Thethingis,whenwegothereonceamonth,wegetmaybea¼ofthegroceriesfreshfruitsandvegetablesandthenit’sgoneafternotverylong.Wedon’thavethemoneytogobackandgetmorefruitsandvegetables.So,wecangetitonlyforashorttime.”

“I feel as though local people are being run out by the wealthier city people wanting to try country living. There are no low income housing and to buy a house is ridiculous. There are no jobs available for locals, everyone is brought in from the cities. Can't work, can't feed your family.” “More local crops available at a lower cost. Fruits and veggies are too expensive.” “Our food prices are bad. Farmers cannot make it. Prices to high. Cost of living to high.” “I am constantly irritated by the cost of food-the healthier you want to eat, the more expensive it is!” “The food cost has gone up per cost of living and we have not been compensated in any way - food programs.” “Cost goes up but not government funding for food stamps and other, nothing at food bank, shortage of food in them.”

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RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY for Chapter III 1. Increaseamountoffreshlocalproduceavailableinschoolmealprograms,foodpantriesand

communitymealsites

- Coordinatemultiplefooddonationstreamstoensuresteadyandsufficientsupplyfromorchards,farmers’markets,farmstandsandhomegardens

- ExploreopportunitytousetheGorgeGrownFoodNetworktrucktopickupanddeliversurplusproduceanddonationsincoordinationwithruralmobilemarketsites

- Workwithschooldistrictsandcommunitystakeholderstoaccessadditionalfoodpurchasingfundingtomakeitpossibletoafford,andthusprioritize,localfoodandimprovequalityofschoolmeals

2. Expandandcoordinateemergencyfoodinfrastructure

- ExplorepotentialforacommunitysupportedfoodpantryinSouthWascoCounty

- EvaluatecapacityandinfluenceofemergencyfoodeffortsinShermanCounty

- WorkwithMCCAC,WGAP,andemergencyfoodsitestodeterminefreshproducecapacityandtoexploreoptionsforincreasedstorage

- Workwithcommunitieslackingfoodpantries(includingMaupin,Wishram,andOdell)toseekresourcesandidentifypotentialsites

- Partnerwithhomegardenerstoconductproducedrivesincommunities

3. Increasesustainabilityofcommunitymealprograms

- Workwithcommunitygroupstoincreasevolunteerinitiativeandsupport

4. Improvetheaffordabilityandselectionoffoodavailableinfoodstoresanddirectmarkets,especiallyinoutlyingruralcommunities

- Workwithruralgrocerstoevaluateinterestandbarrierstosourcingfreshproduce

- Encouragefarmers’marketvendorstodiversifyproductselection

- Workwithregionalgrocerstobetteridentifyandmarketlocalfooditems

- PartnerwithDHSinORandWAtoimproveaccesstofoodassistanceprograms

- IncreaseSNAPparticipationratesinShermanCounty

- EncouragenewauthorizedsitesandproducerstoacceptWICandFDNPvoucherstoimproveaffordabilityoffoodavailableinruralfoodstoresandincreaseconsumeroptions

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o IncreaseFDNPvoucheravailabilityforinterestedhouseholds

- Approachlocalrestaurantstoassessinterestinsourcinglocalfood

5. Improvefarmers’marketoutreachandmarketingtounderrepresentedpopulationsandexpandtheestablishmentofFarmers’MarketsthatprovideWICandSeniorNutrition

Programs

- Explorefinancialincentivesforlow‐incomeresidentstoaccessfarmdirectshopping(includingfarmers’markets)opportunities

- Expandoutreachtocurrentlyunderrepresentedpopulations

- WorkwithmarketstaffandGorgeGrownFoodNetworktoensurevendorsareeffectivelytrainedandfamiliarwiththeEBT/SNAPprogram

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IV.FoodSkills:Cooking,Nutrition,andGardening

What’scookingathomeintheGorge?Informationonthefoodskills(cooking,preserving,etc.)offamiliesintheregionisscarce.Localserviceprovidersthatoffercookingclassesdonotsurveytheirclientsonthesetopics.NeithertheU.S.CensusBureaunortheUSDAFoodSecuritySupplementoffercounty‐orstate‐leveldataonfoodskills.Thus,thecommunityfoodsurveyincludedseveralquestionsspecificallyabouttheseskillstogetabetterpictureofwhatishappeninginhomekitchensaroundtheColumbiaRiverGorge.

HomecookinginHoodRiverCountyThe following two questions refer to residents’ cooking habits. In a normal week, how many meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) do you or someone else prepare at home? None 0.8% Some (1-10) 18.1% Most (11-20) 57.0% All 24.1%

ThismeansthatinHoodRiverCounty,asignificantportionoffamilies,81.1%,arepreparingmostoralloftheirmealsathome.Aswithrespondentsinothercountiessurveyed,thisquestiondoesnotspecifywhat“prepare”means,sothiscouldmeanmealsfromscratch,frozendinners,oranythinginbetween.TogetabetterpictureofwhattypesofmealsfamiliesthroughouttheGorgeareeating,additionalsurveyingmayneedtobeconducted.

Forrespondentswhocookless,checking“none”or“some”forthisquestion,theyweremorelikely(23.1%upfrom12.1%)toreportsomeleveloffoodinsecurity(skippingmealsatleastonceamonth).

Reasonswhyfamiliesmightnotbecookingathomewasalsoevaluated:

If most or all of the meals are not prepared at home, why not?

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No one knows how to cook 7.8% Everyone prefers to eat out 29.2% No one has time to cook 42.2% There is no stove or fridge where I live 0.0% Other (please specify) 27.3%

Themajorityofrespondentsreportalackoftimeasbeingthemainreasontheydonotpreparefoodathome.Ofrespondentswhocookonly“some”or“none”athome,responsesweresimilar,withtheseindividualsnotbeinganymoreorlesslikelytoknowhowtocook.Responsescollectedunder“other”forallrespondentsincluded:

- Weareatschool/workformeals,onlycookdinnerathome- TravelintoPortlandsonothome- We’reallinahurry- Wegrabsnacksinsteadofcooking- It’sconvenienttogoout- Ilivealoneandit’seasiertoeatoutthanpreparefoodforone- Nomoneyforfoodsometimes- Eatingoutisasocialactivityforme

Whodoesn’tknowhowtocook?Becausesofewrespondentsreportednotknowinghowtocook(only7.8%),thefollowingdatamaynotbefullyrepresentative,butarereportedhereasastartingpoint:

InHRC,inhouseholdswherenooneknowshowtocook,respondentsaresignificantlymorelikelytobefoodinsecure(33.3%skipatleastonemealamonth,30%skipmealssothatchildrencaneat).Theyarealsoslightlylesslikelytohaveahomegardenortopreservefood.

Do you freeze, can, dry, or smoke fresh food? Yes 63.5% No 23.7% No, but I would like to learn how 12.7%

Familiesnotcookingoftenwerelesslikelytopreservefoodaswell(only47%).Responsestothisquestionalsoshowamodestinterestinlearningtopreservefood,withtheamountofcookingathomehavingnoimpactoninterestlevelsinlearningtopreserve,althoughinfamilieswherenooneknowshowtocook,norespondents(0%)indicatedanyinterestinlearningtopreserve.

If free or low-cost cooking classes, featuring fresh food and time-saving tips, were offered in the community, would you be interested in going? Yes 36.0% Maybe 39.2% No 24.7%

Themajorityofsurveyrespondentsindicatedatleastsomeinterestinfreeorlow‐costcookingclasses(75.2%);amonghouseholdsdoingonlylimitedcooking,interestwasvirtuallythesame(76.4%);amonghouseholdswherenooneknowshowtocook,interestwasslightlyhigher(81.9%).

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Staffworkingwithfoodpantryclientsindicatethatsomeclientsdonotknowhowtouserawfoodingredientstheyreceiveatthefoodbank,suchasdriedbeans.Clientsalsodonotalwaysknowhowtotakeastandardfoodpantryitemlikemacaroniandcheeseandmakeithealthierwithadditionsofvegetables.Therearecurrentlynosystematiceffortsinplacetoproviderecipesforsuchingredientsandhealthyadd‐ins,butitwouldberelativelyeasytoimplement.

Wherecanfamiliesalreadygetcookingandpreservinghelp?TherearesomecookingeducationoptionsalreadyinHoodRiverCounty.Somearetiedintobroadernutritioneducationefforts(seenextsection);othersdealspecificallywithcooking.

HoodRiverCountyCommunityEducation:thisfee‐basedprogramincludesnumerouscookingclasseseachseason,cateringtoalleducationlevelsandvariouscookinginterests.Theyalsohavealimitednumberofhomepreservingclassesavailable.

WIC:theWICprogramoffersoccasionalcookingclassesforitsclients,ashasbeendocumentedinChapterIII.

OSUExtensionMasterFoodPreservers:WhiletheMasterFoodPreservercurriculumisonlyofferedinWascoCountyatthistime,HoodRiverCountyresidentscanattendandbecomecertifiedMFPsinWascoCounty.Becausethisprogram,liketheMasterGardenerprogram,requirestrainedMFPstocontinuesharingtheirskillswiththecommunity,thisprogramcouldbeanongoingresourcetootherorganizationsorserviceprovidershopingtooffereducationonhomepreservingoffreshfood.

Foradditionalresourcesthatincorporatesomecookingeducationintobroadernutritioneducation,seethenextsection.

HomecookinginWascoandShermanCountiesThefollowingtwoquestionsrefertoresidents’cookinghabits:

Inanormalweek,howmanymeals(breakfast,lunch,dinner)doyouorsomeoneelseprepareathome?

Wasco ShermanNone 1.6% 0.8%

Some(1‐10) 19.5% 18.8%

Most(11‐20) 55.4% 46.9%

All 23.5% 33.6%

AsignificantportionoffamiliesarepreparingmostoralloftheirmealsathomeinWasco(78.9%)andSherman(80.5%)Counties.Thisquestiondoesnotspecifywhat“prepare”means,anddependingonthehouseholditsdefinitioncouldrangefrommealscookedfromscratchtofrozendinnersheatedinthemicrowave.TogetapictureofwhattypesofmealsWascoandShermanCountyfamiliesareeating,additionalsurveyingmayberequired.

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Respondentswhocookless(thosechecking“none”or“some”forthisquestioninWascoCounty)areslightlymorelikely(16.0%upfrom10.1%)toreportsomeleveloffoodinsecurity(skippingmealsatleastonceamonth).

Thisassessmentevaluateswhyfamiliesmightnotbecookingathome:

Ifmostorallofthemealsarenotpreparedathome,whynot?

Wasco ShermanNooneknowshowtocook 3.4% 0.0%

Everyonepreferstoeatout 15.1% 25.0%

Noonehastimetocook 45.3% 14.3%

ThereisnostoveorfridgewhereIlive 2.8% 0.0%

Other(pleasespecify) 42.5% 67.9% InWascoCounty,themajorityofrespondentsreportedlackoftimeasthemainreasontheydonotpreparefoodathome(45.3%).Nooneknowinghowtocookwasnotamainfactorinthosewhodidnotpreparemostorallmealsathome,withsimilarreportingamongthosewhocook“mostorall”mealsathomeand“someornone”mealsathome.ThemajorityofrespondentsinShermanCountyreported“other”asthemainreasonfornotcookingathome,whichissummarizedbelowwithresponsesfromWascoCounty:

- Weeatbreakfastandlunchatwork/school- Weeatoutatrestaurants- Cookingwithamicrowaveiseasier- Myfamilyisabsentatmealtimesandnothomeintimetoeattogether.- Ieatmymealsattheseniorcenter/potlatch- Igetallofmyfoodfrommealsonwheels- Preparingfoodtakestoolongandistoodifficult- Itistoodifficulttocookforoneperson- Idon’thaveenoughmoneytoshopforhealthierfoods- We’realwaysgoneatnightforthekidsactivities

Whodoesn’tknowhowtocook?Becausesofewrespondentsreportednotknowinghowtocook(only3.4%inWascoandShermanCounties),thefollowingdatamaynotbefullyrepresentativebutarereportedhereasastartingpoint:

InWascoCountyhouseholdswherenooneknowshowtocook,respondentsaresignificantlymorelikelytobefoodinsecure(33.4%skipmealsatleastonceamonth,66.7%skipmealssothatchildrencaneat).Theyarealsosignificantlylesslikelytohaveagarden(80%donothaveahomegarden)orpreservefood(50%donotpreservefood).

NoShermanCountyrespondentsreportednotknowinghowtocook.

Doyoufreeze,can,dryorsmokefreshfood?

Wasco Sherman

Yes 69.2% 69.8%

No 21.8% 27.1%

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No,butIwouldliketolearnhow 9.0% 3.1%

Familiesnotcookingoftenwerelesslikelytopreservefoodaswell(45%inWascoCounty,37.5%inShermanCounty).Responsestothisquestioninbothcountiesalsoshowamodestinterestinlearningtopreserve,withtheamountofcookingathomehavingnoinfluenceoninterestlevelsinlearningtopreservefood.InWascoCounty,forfamiliesinwhichnooneknowshowtocooktherewasonlyslightinterest(33.3%)inlearningtopreserve.

Iffreeorlow‐costcookingclasses,featuringfreshfoodandtime‐savingtips,wereofferedinthecommunity,wouldyoubeinterestedinattending?

Wasco ShermanYes 39.1% 31.7%

Maybe 32.5% 35.7%

No 28.3% 32.5%

Themajorityofsurveyrespondentsindicatedsomeinterestinfreeorlow‐costcookingclasses(71.6%inWascoCounty,67.4%inShermanCounty).AmongWascoCountyhouseholdsnotcooking,interestwassignificantlylower(30%).Ofthehouseholdsdoingsomecooking,73.6%expressedsomeinterestinclasses.Forhouseholdsinwhichnooneknowshowtocook,interestwashigher(83.3%).AmongShermanCountyhouseholdsnotcooking,interestwashigh(100%).Ofthehouseholdsdoingsomecooking,60.8%expressedsomeinterestinclasses.

Ifyouwouldnotattendfreeorlow‐costcookingclasses,whynot?

Wasco ShermanToobusy 26.7% 28.9%

Notinterestedinlearning 16.4% 20.0%

Don’tneedtolearn 44.1% 42.2%

Other(pleasespecify) 21.5% 17.8%

InbothWascoandShermanCounties,themajorityofrespondentswhowouldnotattendfreeorlow‐costcookingclasses“don’tneedtolearn”(44.1%and42.2%respectively).InWascoandShermanCounties,familieswhoreportedlowlevelsofcookingreportedcomparablelevelsofnotneedingtolearntocook,asdidfamilieswhoreportedhighlevelsofcookingintheirhomes.“Other”responsesfrombothCountiesinclude:

� Icannotaffordthegastoattendtheclass� Imaynothavethetimetoattend� Theeconomyisnotstableenough� Idon’thavethemoneytopayfortheclass� Classesdon’tusuallycatertohealthyorvegetarianoptions� Ialreadyhavetheskillsandknowhowtocook� It’stoomuchtroubletopreparefoodforoneperson

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Wherecanfamiliesaccesscookingandpreservinghelp?OSUExtensionMasterFoodPreservers(FamilyFoodEducators):TheMasterFoodPreservercurriculumiscurrentlyofferedinWascoCountythroughitsOSUExtensionoffice.Becausethisprogram,liketheMasterGardenerprogram,requirestrainedMFPstoshareskillswiththecommunity,thisprogramcouldbeanongoingresourcetootherorganizationsorserviceprovidersworkingtooffereducationonhomepreservingoffood.WhilenoMFPcurriculumisofferedinShermanCounty,theextensionofficedoeshaveaMFPmanualavailableforuse.ResidentsofShermanCountymaybecomecertifiedthroughWascoCounty159.TherewerenoFamilyFoodEducationcoursesheldinShermanCounty.

Foradditionalresourcesthatincorporatesomecookingeducationintobroadernutritioneducation,seethenextsection.

HomeCookinginKlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesThefollowingtwoquestionsrefertoresidents’cookinghabits.

Inanormalweekhowmanymeals(breakfast,lunch,dinner)doyouorsomeoneelseprepareathome?

Klickitat Skamania

None 1.3% 1.0%

Some (1-10) 14.7% 13.8%

Most (11-20) 53.6% 53.1%

All 30.4% 32.1%

ThismeansthatasignificantportionofthefamiliesarepreparingmostofalloftheirmealsathomeinKlickitatCounty(84.0%)andSkamaniaCounty(85.2%).Forrespondentswhocookless,checking“none”or“some”forthisquestioninKlickitatCounty,thereweremorelikely(15.5%upfrom7.9%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation)toreportsomeleveloffoodinsecurity(skippingmealsatleastonceamonth).FoodinsecuritywasalsohigherinSkamaniaCountyforthoseresidentswhoreportedcookingless(24.0%upfrom14.0%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation).

Reasonsfamilieshadfornotcookingathomewerealsoevaluated:

Ifmostofallofthemealsarenotpreparedathome,whynot?

Klickitat SkamaniaNooneknowshowtocook 1.9% 2.6%

Everyonepreferstoeatout 13.5% 5.3%

Noonehastimetocook 48.1% 42.1%

ThereisnostoveorfridgewhereIlive 1.9% 5.3%


LackoftimewasamajorbarrierforalargeportionoftherespondentsinKlickitatCounty(48.1%)andSkamaniaCounty(42.1%).Ofrespondentswhocookonly“some”or“none”athome,responsesweresimilartothegeneralsurveypopulation,withtheseindividualsnotbeinganymoreorless

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likelytoknowhowtocook.ResidentsofKlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesalsoreported“other”asbeingabarriertocookingathome.Reponsesfromthetwocountiesaresummarizedbelow:

� Thereisnofood� We’renothomeduringmealtimes� I’matschoolorworkduringmealtimes� Wegotofamilyorfriendshousestoeat� Itiseasiertobuyfoodatrestaurants� IeatthroughSeniorMealProgramsandattheSeniorCenter� Idon’tliketocook� Weeatoutatrestaurantsalot.

Whodoesn’tknowhowtocook?Becausesofewrespondentsreportednotknowinghowtocook(only1.9%inKlickitatand2.6%inSkamania),thefollowingdatamaynotbefullyrepresentative,butarereportedhereasastartingpoint:

InKlickitatCounty,inhouseholdswherenooneknowshowtocookrespondentsaremorelikelytoskipmealsforchildren(50.0%comparedto8.0%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation)andmorelikelynottohaveahomegarden(50.0%comparedto34.4%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation).InSkamaniaCounty,inhouseholdswherenooneknowshowtocookrespondentsaremorelikelytonotpreservefood(100%comparedto27.1%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation).

Doyoufreeze,can,dry,orsmokefreshfood?

Klickitat Skamania

Yes 73.2% 73.0%

No 18.4% 19.4%No,butIwouldliketolearnhow 8.4% 7.7%

Familiesnotcookingoftenwerelesslikelythanthegeneralsurveypopulationtopreservefoodaswell(50.9%inKlickitatCounty,60.7%inSkamaniaCounty).RespondentstothisquestioninKlickitatCountyshowmodestinterestinlearningtopreserve,withtheamountofcookingdoneathomehavingnoimpactoninterestlevelsinlearningtopreservefood.TherewasnointerestamongthoserespondentsfromSkamaniaCountywhodidminimalcookinginlearninghowtopreservefood.ForthosefamilieswherenooneknowshowtocookinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountiestherewasnointerest(0%)inlearninghowtopreserve.

Iffreeorlow‐costcookingclasses,featuringfreshfoodandtime‐savingtips,wereofferedinthecommunity,wouldyoubeinterestedinattending?

Klickitat Skamania

Yes 29.3% 36.8%

Maybe 40.3% 36.8%No 30.3% 26.4%

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Themajorityofsurveyrespondentsindicatedsomeinterestinfreeorlow‐costcookingclasses(69.6%inKlickitatCounty,73.6%inSkamaniaCounty);amonghouseholdsdoingnocookinginKlickitatCountyinterestwashigher(88.4%)andslightlylowerforhouseholdsdoingsomecooking(63.6%).AmonghouseholdsinSkamaniaCountythatwerenotcookingathome,interestwaslower(50.0%)andslightlyloweramonghouseholdscookingsome(61.6%).AmonghouseholdsinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountieswherenooneknowshowtocook,interestincookingclasseswasveryhigh(100%inbothcounties).

Ifyouwouldnotattendfreeorlow‐costcookingclasses,whynot?

Klickitat Skamania

Toobusy 25.7% 13.1%

Notinterestedinlearning 9.9% 8.2%Don’tneedtolearn 50.5% 57.4%


InbothKlickitatandSkamaniaCounties,themostcommonresponsefromthosewhowouldnotbeinterestedinattendingfreeorlow‐costcookingclasseswas“don’tneedtolearn”(50.5%inKlickitat,57.4%inSkamania).InKlickitatandSkamaniaCounties,familieswhoreportedlowlevelsofcookingwerelesslikelytorespond“don’tneedtolearn”thanfamilieswhoreportedhigh‐levelofcookingintheirhomes(33.3%vs.54.1%inKlickitat,23.1%vs.68.1%inSkamania).Responsescollectedunder“other”forrespondentsofbothcountiesinclude:

� Itistoolongofadriveandtoocostlytodrive� Icannotaffordtopayfortheclass� Idon’thavethetimetoattendtheclassesorcook� Childcareisaproblemforme� Icanlearnmoreonmyownifnecessary� Ialreadyhavetheskillsandknowhowtocook� It’stheeconomicsofpreservingfood:canningmyselfvs.buyingcannedproducts

Wherecanfamiliesalreadygetcookingandpreservinghelp?Food$enseProgram:TheFood$enseprogramisanutritionandcookingservicethatispartoftheSNAP‐EDprogramofferedthroughtheWSUExtensionoffices.CurrentlytherearenocookingcoursesofferedthroughtheSkamaniaorKlickitatOffices.However,KlickitatCountyWSUExtensioniscurrentlyintheplanningprocessofofferingcookingcoursestoadultsinconjunctionwithcommunitypartners,focusingclassesonparentswhohavechildrenandteens.160TherearecurrentlynoexistingFood$enseprograminSkamaniaCounty,butresidentsarereferredtotheClarkCountyExtensionOfficeforassistance.161

Horizons:In2009theHorizonsCommunityGroupheldaseriesoffourclassesonfoodpreservationinWishram.Theclassescoveredthebasicsincanningandpreserving;jams,jellies,andpiefillings;picklingfruitsandvegetables–freezinganddrying;andpressurecanningvegetablesandmeats.

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TheseclasseswerefreetoHorizonmembersandofferedatlowcosttoothercommunitymembers.162

4H:In2009,theSkamaniaCounty4‐HExtensionofferedbasiceducationonfoodandnutritionto59youthinthecounty,whichincludedbasicskillsinfoodpreparation,foodsafety,andfoodpreservation.Theextensionservicealsoofferedspecificclassesto10youthonfoodpreservationtechniques.163

CookingandPreservingNeedsandIdeas� Additionalcookingskillsresearchtobetterdeterminespecificpopulations’interestin

cookingandpreservingeducation(foodbankclients,farmworkers,youth,etc.)

� Basiceducationforthegeneralpublictoemphasizethehealthandeconomicbenefitsofcookingandpreservingathome

� MaintaincapacityofOSUextensionofficetocontinueteachingnutritionandcookingclassesinWascoCounty

� Findresourcesforcookingclasses(time,money,USDAcertifiedkitchens,etc.),andusecurrentMasterFoodPreserverstoteachandarrangeclasses

� Additionalcookingresourcesforfoodpantrysites,especiallysimplepictorialrecipesandpotentiallyon‐sitedemonstrations

� Canningandpreservingequipmentavailableatfoodpantriesforusebyclientsintheirhomesandprovidelowcostjarsavailableforpurchase

� Flexible,low‐costcoursesavailableinmultiplesitesbasedaroundtime‐savingandsimpletechniques,thatarehands‐onbased

� Additionalcookingskillsresearchtobetterdeterminespecificpopulations’interestincookingandpreservingeducation(foodbankclients,farmers,youth,etc.)

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GorgeCommunityVoicesonCooking&PreservingFoodBelowarequotesfromlocalresidents–includingfarmers,lowincomeindividuals,healthserviceproviders,andworkingprofessionals–oncookingandpreservingfoodintheGorge,

fromcommunitygroupdiscussions.

HoodRiverCounty

“We’rethefirstpeopleinourfamilytodothingslikegleaningandfreezingsummerveggiesforwinter.”“Ihavetroublecookingfrom‘real’ingredients,ittakeslongerifyoudon’tknowhowtodoitwell.”

“Idon’twanttoeatmymom’sfood!”“Myparentsdon’twanttocook.”“Wearetoobusy,soeveryonemakestheirownmealsonthego.”“Eatingouthelpsussincewe’resobusy,itmeanswehavemoretimetogetherasafamily.”“Myroommatesandkitchenaredirty,don’tliketouseit.”“TheytellmeIshouldmakemykidshealthyJell‐owithfruitandjuice,buthaveyouevertriedtomakeJell‐owith3kidsrunningaroundandababy?Icanjustbuythepremadeonesandit’seasyforme.”

“Whohastimeforit?Icanbarelykeeptrackofeverythingelseinlife.”

“CookingIcando,butpreservingseemslikealotmorework.”“Thebiggestobstacleformeisknowingenoughaboutcooking&recipestomakesomethingthatisappetizing(andsomethingthatwillmakefulluseofthestuffIbuy,insteadofhalfofitgoingbadfromneglect)”“Weseemtohavelostalotoftheoldfoodskillsourparentsandgrandparentshad,andtheythemselvesoftenprefertheshortcutstoo.”


“Foodiseasilygrowninourregionfromfruitsandvegetablestowildforaging.Wedoliveinaverybountifularea.Wecangrow,hunt,fishandforageformostallourdailyneeds.Withsomebasicswecanpreservethesefoodstogetusthroughthewintermonths.Allittakesisthewillingnesstolearnandtoputalittleeffortintoplanning.Inourareanooneshouldbegoinghungry.”

“They[youth]don’twanttolearn,theyjustthinkMcDonald’siseasier”

“Icookallthetime.Thereareninepeopleinmyhouse.AfterIcookforeveryone,IjusteatTopRamen.”

“Mygoalfortheyearistogetintocanning.”

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“TheonlyreasonIlearnedwhatIlearnedwasbybeinginthekitchenwithmygrandma.”

“Itjustdependsoniftheycookoutofthemicrowaveorcookoutoftheoven.Thathasalottodowithit.It’scheaperandgoesfurthertocookfromscratch.”

“ManyproduceitemscanbegrowninWascoCounty.Ilovethequalityandtasteofhome‐grownfruitsandvegetables.MyhusbandandIareverycarefulinpreservingandpreparingourvegetablesandgamefoodsources.Wegetalotofsatisfactionfromourabilitytoproduceourownfoodandhaveaveryhealthydiet.Ienjoyfindingnewrecipestouseourbounty.Itisasourceofcreativitythatweenjoy.”

“Sometimeswhenyouhavethreekids,attheendofthedayyou’rejusttootiredtomakedinner.”

“Ioftenmixcannedwithfreshtocutdownonthepricebutstillgetitinthere.Likewithspaghettisauce,Iaddfreshtomatoes.”

“Mybiggestchallengestofoodaremainlyself‐created.IfeelthatthereareresourcesIdonottakeadvantageof(duetolackoftime)thatcouldincreasethehealthofmyfood.BecauseIeatthemajorityofmymealsatwork,itisdifficulttobemotivatedaboutthefewmealsIdoprepareathome.”


“Recipesthatarelowcostandhealthyarereallyneeded.”

“Thereneedstobeeducationaroundhowtofreezefruitsandvegetablessowhenthey’reinseasonyoucangetthemonsaleandlearnhowtopreservethem.”

“IwouldbemorewillingtoattendpreservingclassesifIcouldpracticeintheclassandwouldbeabletotakehomesomepreservedfoodandsuppliestodoitonmyownathome.”

“Canningequipmentistooexpensive.”

“Ithinkalotofpeoplewhogetdriedgoodsfromthefoodbankhavenoideawhattodowiththeitemsanddon’tendupusingthem.”

“Sometimesthefoodpantrieshaverecipesforweirditems,butsometimesIjustdon’tknowwhattodowithwhatthey’vegivenme.”

“Cookingclassesorinformationabouthowtocookcouldbereallyhelpful.Oursocietyhasbecomeoverdependentonfastfoodandconvenienceitems.Ifpeoplecouldseehowmuchfoodtheycouldpurchaseandprepareforthecostofatakeoutorsitdownmealtheymaystarttorethinktheirfoodchoices.Nottomentionimprovedhealth.”

“Iwouldbeinterestedinaclasslearningtocanfoodsandpreparehealthy,lessexpensivemeals.”

“IwasneverraisedeatingmuchvegetableorfreshfruitssoIhaveahardtimeputtingthemintomymeals.Iknowitwouldbebeneficialnottorepeatthecyclewithmyownchildren.Ifeelaclassoncookingdifferentvegetablewouldbebeneficialtome.”

“Ibelievemostpeopledon'twantfreshproducebecausetheydon'tknowhowtofixitanditspoilsbeforetheyeatit.”

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YouthandAdultNutritionintheGorgeInformationonthenutritionandeatinghabitsoffamiliesintheGorgeislimited.Localserviceprovidershavenotextensivelyqueriedclientsonthesetopics,nordothenationalleveldatasetsoffercountyinformation.Additionalresearchisneededtogetabetterfullpictureofthehealthandnutritioneducationservicesavailableinthecountyandbetterdetermineopportunitiesforexpandedandimprovedefforts.

FruitandVegetableConsumption

Howmuchofthefoodyoubuyisfreshvegetablesorfruit?

HoodRiver Wasco Sherman Klickitat Skamania

None 0.9% 1.8% 0.8% 0.8% 2.5%

Alittle(25%) 36.9% 42.7% 42.0% 41.7% 42.3%Abouthalf(50%) 46.3% 42.2% 42.7% 44.4% 43.8%

Mostofit(75%) 14.8% 12.6% 13.0% 12.4% 10.9%Allofit(100%) 1.1% 0.7% 1.5% 0.7% 0.5%

HowmanytimesdoYOUeatfreshfruitsandvegetableseachweek?


Never 0.8% 1.8% 0.8% 1.0% 0.0%1to6timesaweek 30.7% 27.9% 29.8% 31.4% 29.9%

Onceaday 27.0% 27.0% 29.0% 23.9% 27.4%

2to4timesaday 41.5% 43.2% 40.5% 43.7% 42.8%

Bytheseresults,lessthanhalfthesurveyrespondentsintheregioneattherequiredamountoffruitsandvegetablesdaily.USDArecommendstwocupsofbothfruitsandvegetablesforadults,makingfourcupstotaldaily.164

USDA’sEconomicResearchServiceconductedextensiveresearchonthefactorsthatimpacthealthyfoodchoices,includingtheconsumptionofmorefruitsandvegetables.Theyreportnationally:

� Individualswithhigherincomestendtopurchasemorefruitsandvegetables� Thecostofmeetingdietaryrecommendationsissurprisinglylow–thereareseveralways

tomeetdietaryrecommendationsforlessthan$1aday� Educationhasamorepronouncedeffectonfruitandvegetablepurchasesthanincome� Consumerswithmorenutritionalknowledgearemorelikelytochooseamorehealthfulmix

ofvegetables,choosingmoredark‐greenvegetablesordeep‐yellowvegetablesandfewerfriedpotatoes.165

Thesefindingsindicateaneedformorenutritioneducationaroundfood,especiallyforlow‐incomeindividuals.

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Aconcernwiththesurveydataisthatitmaybeamisrepresentationofmorepeoplereportingtheyeatvegetablesandfruitsthanisactuallytrue.ThisissupportedbythedatacollectedbytheCDC:166

Adult(18+)FruitandVegetableConsumptioninOregon

%inOregon %inWashington

Adultswhoeatfruit(+2)/day 33.7% 33.7%Adultswhoeatvegetables(+3)/day 29.7% 29.1%

Adultswhoeatfruit(+2)andvegetables(+3)/day 15.6% 15.1%

Thereisasignificantdropinthepercentage(50%,55%)ofadultswhoconsumefruitsandvegetablesratherthanjustfruitsorjustvegetablesinthestatesofOregonandWashington.Inaddition,thesenumbersarelowerthantherespondentseating“2to4timesaday”inWascoandShermanCounties(43.2%and40.5%),HoodRiverCounty(41.5%),andKlickitatandSkamaniaCounties(43.7%and42.8%),whichsupportsthepossibleover‐reportingoffruitandvegetableconsumption.Theover‐reportingmay,however,signifythatpeoplerecognizetheimportanceineatingfruitsandvegetablestwotofourtimesaday.

SPOTLIGHT:PasosaSaludThePasosaSalud(StepstoWellness)programisaprojectofLaClinicadelCariñoinHoodRiver.ThroughPasos,HealthPromotersworkwithfamilieswithahistoryofobesityand/ordiabetestohelpthemimprovetheirhealthandmanageandpreventthesediseases.Theyalsoincorporateinformationonthebenefitsoffreshfruitsandvegetablesintotheireducation.

Thispeereducationmodelprogramoccursincommunitygroups–inbothSpanishandEnglish–thatlastfor15weeksandareinteractive,participatory,andfacilitatedbyprofessionalHealthPromoters.Youtharewelcomeinadditiontoadults.TheseHealthPromotersactas“puentes”,orbridgestoprovidetheexplanationandsupportpatientsneedstomakenecessarylifestylechangesandfollowtheirprimarycareproviders’recommendations.

Thecomplexityofourmedicalsystemsmakesitextremelydifficultformostpatientstoclearlyunderstandtheirhealthissuesandthemedicalrecommendationstheyreceive,especiallywhentheyinvolvelifestylechangessuchasamodifieddiet.ProgrammanagerMargieDogotchreportsthatoneprimarybenefitofthePasosprogramisthattheHealthPromoters,aspeersandexperts,canhelpmakesenseofthemedicalrecommendationsandhelppatientsmakethelonger‐termlifestylechangesthatarenecessaryforcontinuedhealth.Onfood,PasosparticipantsallhaveanopportunitytogardenatLaClinica’scommunitygardenspace,andtheprogramalsotakesparticipantsongrocerystore‘smartshopping’toursandhelpsfamiliespracticecosteffectivemenuplanning.

Pasosstaffreportthatpatientsintheprogramhavelimitedaccesstofreshfoods,andbringthisissuetotheHealthPromoters.Insummer,whenagriculturalemploymentisgoodandjobsareplentiful,theissueislesspronouncedthanduringwinter,whenworkisscarce.167

FormoreinformationonLaClinica’sgarden,seethenextsection.

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Pasos / La Clinica Needs and Ideas

- Consideralargefooddrive,targetedtofoodsfortheLatinocommunity,justbeforecherryharvesttimetosupportfarmworkerscominginfortheharvest

- SeekadditionalwaysforemergencyfoodboxestobettermatchLatinofoodpreferencesandneeds

- PartnerwithFISH,GorgeGrown,andlocalfarmerstohaveemergencyfoodavailableatLaClinica–especiallyfreshproduce–forpatientswhoareunableorafraidtovisitthefoodpantry.

FoodandNutritionEducationthroughSNAP‐EDSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP)recipientsalsoreceivenutritioneducationlocally.ManySNAPandSNAPeligiblerecipientsalsoreceivenutritioneducationbyvirtueofbeingpartoftheOregonFoodandNutritionProgram(OFNP)orWashingtonStateUniversityNutritionProgram(WSUNP).ThegoaloftheOFNPistoprovideSNAP‐Edeligiblefamilieswiththeinformationtheyneedtomakehealthyfoodchoicesandchooseactivelifestyles.Participantslearnpracticalskillsinthefollowingareas:HealthyEatingandActivity,IncreasingHouseholdFoodSecurityandReducingFoodborneIllness.InWascoCounty,OSUExtensionservesapproximately75adultsand1,200youthayearthroughthisprogram,andHoodRiverCountyOSUExtensionservesapproximately350adultsand300youth.Theprogramworksviaseveralmeans168:

� In‐schooleducation

� MidColumbiaCouncilofGovernments(MCCOG)

� SalvationArmy

� BilingualassistancethroughDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS)

� TANFclasses

� In‐homeeducationclasses

� Foodpantrypartnerships

� Classesincollaborationwithlocalorganizations

Inaddition,MidColumbiaMedicalCenter(MCMC)servesanaverageof60peopleayearinclassesrelatedtohealthyweightandlifestyle169.

InKlickitatCountytheprogramfocusesontheeducationofadultsandchildren.Programmingiscurrentlybeingdevelopedforadultsandwillincludetopicssuchas:foodpreparation,dietaryqualityandfoodsafety,supermarkettoursandgardeningactivities.Programmingforchildreniscurrentlyadministeredthroughschoolcurriculumandincludestopicssuchasnewfoodexperiences,physicalactivityandmovement,andgardening.TheKlickitatWSUextensionofficeprovidesprogrammingtoKlickitatandWishramschooldistrictsservingatotalof190studentsgradespre‐Kthrough12.170

NoclassesarecurrentlyofferedthroughtheSkamaniaCountyWSUextensionoffice.

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YouthNutrition,FruitandVegetableConsumptionintheGorge

HoodRiverCountyAsmallamountofdataisavailableonyouthnutritioninthecounty,thankstosurveysconductedbytheHoodRiverCountyschooldistrictin2007.ThisinformationcanbecomparedtoOregonstatewidedataandourthefoodassessmentsurveydatatoprovideabeginninglookatyouthnutritioninthecounty.

YouthbreakfastconsumptioninHRCandOregon,2007

Didyoueatbreakfastyesterday? 4thand5thGradeinHoodRiverCounty

No 9.5%Yes 90.5%

Duringthepast7days,howmanytimesdidyoueat

breakfast?

8thGradeinOregon

11thGradein

Oregon0days 8.9% 9.8%1day 8.9% 10.8%2‐4days 21.3% 25.9%5‐6days 16.2% 16.3%7days 44.6% 37.3%Source: Oregon Healthy Teen, Hood River County School District Whilethewordingofthesetwoquestionsisslightlydifferent,itnonethelessindicatesadropinregularbreakfastconsumptionaschildrengrowolder.Bythetimestudentsarein11thgrade,only53.6%ofstudentseatbreakfastamajorityofdays(5‐7)oftheweek.

YouthfruitconsumptioninHRCandOregon,2007

Yesterday,didyoueatanyfruit?(excludingfruitjuice)

4thand5thGradeinHoodRiverCounty

Nofruit 12.9%Atefruit1time 33.7%Atefruit2times 29.0%Atefruit3ormoretimes 24.4%

Duringthepast7days,howmanytimesdidyoueat

fruit?(excludingfruitjuice)

8thGradeinOregon

11thGradein

OregonIdidnoteatfruitduringthepast7days 9.4% 8.8%1‐3timesduringthepast7days 31.9% 38.0%4‐6timesduringthepast7days 21.7% 22.2%1timeperday 14.7% 13.1%2timesperday 12.5% 10.8%3timesperday 5.8% 4.8%4ormoretimesperday 3.9% 2.3%Source: Oregon Healthy Teen, Hood River County School District

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Whenitcomestofruitconsumption,HRCyouthseemtobeconsumingitwithsomefrequency.USDA’sdietaryguidelinesforchildrensuggest1.5cupsdailyoffruit;whileamountsoffruiteatenareunavailablefromthissurveydata,wecanatminimumlookathowmanyyouthareeatingfruitatleastonceaday–andthusmorelikelytobeclosetothedailyUSDArecommendations.171Of4thand5thgradersinHRC,87.1%reportedeatingfruitatleastoncethedaybefore.Of8thand10thgradersinOregon,only31%reportedeatingfruitatleastonetimeperdaytheweekbefore;ifweinclude4‐6timesinthepast7days,thatfiguregrowsto53.2%‐stillbarelymorethanhalf.ThusthemajorityofOregon’s8thand10thgradersmaynotbereachingtheirrecommendedamountofdailyfruitintake.

YouthvegetableconsumptioninHRCandOregon,2007

Yesterday,didyoueatanyvegetables?(excluding

Frenchfriesandchips)

4thand5thGradeinHoodRiverCounty

Novegetables 18.3%Atevegetables1time 33.3%Atevegetables2times 27.9%Atevegetables3ormoretimes 20.1%Duringthepast7days,howmanytimesdidyoueatvegetables?(excludinggreensalad,potatoesandcarrots)

8thGradeinOregon

11thGradein

Oregon

Ididnoteatvegetablesduringthepast7days 14.6% 13.2%1‐3timesduringthepast7days 36.4% 42.4%4‐6timesduringthepast7days 23.0% 23.6%1timeperday 13.4% 11.6%2timesperday 7.0% 6.4%3timesperday 2.6% 1.7%4ormoretimesperday 3.0% 1.1%Source: Oregon Healthy Teen, Hood River County School District TheUSDArecommends2.5cupsofvegetablesdailyforchildren.172Judgingfromthesesurveyresults,most4thand5thgradersinthecountyarelikelynotconsumingtheirrecommendeddailyallowanceofvegetables.Whileitispositivetoseethat81.7%ateatleastsomevegetablesthepreviousday,only48%atethemtwiceormore,whichwouldapproximatetheUSDAservingrecommendation.

Bythetimeyouthreach8thand11thgrade,theirvegetableconsumptiondrops,withonly26%of8thgradersand20.8%of11thgraderseatingoneservingofvegetablesormoredaily.Evenfewerconsumemorethanoneservingperday–12.6%of8thgradersand9.2%of11thgraders.However,becausethesurveyquestionexcludedgreensalad,potatoes,andcarrots,allvegetableitemscommonatschoollunchandathome,thesenumbersmayappearlowerthantheyare.

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WascoCountySurveysconductedintwoschoolsinTheDallesprovideasmallamountofdataonyouthandnutritioninWascoCounty.Thisinformationiscomparedtostatewidedataandtheassessmentsurveydatatoprovideabeginninglookatyouthnutritioninthecounty.Additionalinformationonconsumptionofindividualfruitsandvegetablesisavailablebutnotincludedinthereport.Thereisnocounty‐specificdataavailableforShermanCounty.

YouthbreakfastconsumptioninNorthWascoCountyandOregon,2009

Duringthepast7days,howmanytimesdidyoueatbreakfast?

8thGradeinTheDalles

8thGradeinOR

11thGradeinTheDalles

11thGradeinOR

0days 4.0% 8.6% 8.1% 9.1%1day 6.9% 6.2% 8.8% 7.4%2days 3.5% 8.4% 14.2% 9.6%3days 8.1% 9.0% 15.5% 9.7%4days 11.0% 7.1% 10.8% 8.9%5days 11.0% 9.5% 5.4% 10.4%6days 10.4% 9.5% 8.1% 9.5%7days 45.1% 41.7% 29.1% 35.4%Source:OregonHealthyTeen,NorthWascoCountySchoolDistrict21andtheStateofOregon

ThedatacollectedinTheDallesindicatesadropinregularbreakfastconsumptionwithage.Bythetimethestudentsarein11thgrade,only42.6%eatbreakfastamajorityoftheweek(5‐7days),downfrom66.5%in8thgrade.Thelevelofregularbreakfastconsumptionatthestatelevelonlydropsslightlyfrom8thto11thgrade,60.7to55.3%.

YouthfruitconsumptioninNorthWascoCountyandOregon,2009

Duringthepast7day,howmanytimesdidyoueatfruit?

8thGradeinTheDalles

8thGradeinOR


11thGradeinOR

Ididnoteatfruitduringthepast7days 11.9% 8.3% 8.1% 7.7%

1to3timesduringthepast7days 32.4% 33.2% 42.6% 34.7%

4to6timesduringthepast7days 25.0% 21.4% 20.3% 23.2%1timeperday 13.6% 14.0% 11.5% 14.1%

2timesperday 8.5% 12.8% 10.1% 13.2%3timesperday 5.1% 5.3% 4.7% 4.8%

4ormoretimesperday 3.4% 5.0% 2.7% 2.2%Source:OregonHealthyTeen,NorthWascoCountySchoolDistrict21andtheStateofOregon

Thesurveydataprovidesaminimumlookathowmanyyouthareeatingfruitatleastonceaday–andaremorelikelytoapproachthedailyUSDArecommendation.17311thgraderswhoconsumedfruitonceadayormorefellslightlyatthestatelevelandinTheDalles,from37.1%to34.3%andfrom30.6%to29.0%,comparedtothe8thgraders.Theselevelsareparticularlylowforfruitconsumption.Whenyouthwhoeatfruitfourtosixtimesduringaweekareincluded,thepercentagesdonotriseabove61.5%(8thgradersinOregon),signifyingthatthemajorityor8thand11thgradersmaynotbereachingtheirrecommendedamountofdailyfruitintake.

***

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YouthvegetableconsumptioninNorthWascoCountyandOregon,2009

Duringthepast7dayshowmanytimesdidyoueatothervegetables?(don'tcountpotatoes,carrotsorgreensalad)

8thGradeinTheDalles

8thGradeinOR


11thGradein

OR

Ididnoteatothervegetablesinthepast7days 16.6% 15.0% 14.9% 12.4%

1to3timesduringthepast7days 42.9% 36.0% 38.1% 39.1%

4to6timesduringthepast7days 22.3% 22.6% 23.8% 23.2%1timeperday 10.9% 13.5% 11.6% 13.2%

2timesperday 2.3% 7.0% 6.1% 8.0%

3timesperday 2.3% 2.9% 3.4% 2.5%4ormoretimesperday 2.9% 2.9% 2.0% 1.6%Source:OregonHealthyTeen,NorthWascoCountySchoolDistrict21andStateofOregon

InWascoCounty,18.4%of8thgradersareeatingvegetablesonceormoreaday,whichisslightlylowerthanthestateaverageof26.3%of8thgraders.Theconsumptionofvegetablesby11thgradersshowsanincreasefrom8thgraderlevelsinWascoCounty,at23.1%,whilethestatelevelofconsumptionremainsconsistentfor11thgradersat25.3%.Thesenumbersareparticularlylowandsignifythatthe8thand11thgradersmaynotbegettingtheirdailyrecommendationofvegetables.However,becausethesurveyquestionexcludedgreensalad,potatoes,andcarrots,allvegetableitemscommonatschoollunchandhome,thesenumbersmayappearlowerthantheyactuallyare.

WecantakeanadditionallookatthefruitandvegetableconsumptionthroughdatacollectedbyMidColumbiaMedicalCenterinWascoandShermanCounties.

School Fruit: % Chosen w/

>25%Waste Veg. % Chosen w/ >25%Waste

DryHollowGradeSchool 71.9 18.0 72.9 32.0

ChenowithGradeSchool 92.1 42.7 82.7 36.4

TheDallesMiddleSchool 30.8 17.0 30.8 22.5

DufurSchool 67.3 18.2 58.8 22.2

NorthShermanElementary 100.0 50.0 100.0 42.9SouthShermanElementary 100.0 50.0 100.0 78.6

w/>50%waste w/>50%waste

ColonelWrightGradeSchool 97.7 29 N/A N/A

ThetwoschoolswiththelowestpercentageofstudentswhochosefruitsandvegetableswereTheDallesMiddleSchoolandDufurSchool,bothwhichincludeolderstudents.Theseschoolsalsohadsomeoflowestamountoffruitsandvegetableswasted,suggestingthatwhileolderstudentsmaybelessinclinedtochoosefruitsandvegetablestheyaremorelikelytoeatwhattheyhavechosen.

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KlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesAsmallamountofdataisavailableonyouthandnutritioninWashingtonState,KlickitatCounty,andSkamaniaCountythroughtheHealthyYouthSurveyconductedinthestateofWashingtonin2008.174

PercentofStudentsEatingLessthan5Fruits/VegetablesEachDay,2008

WashingtonState KlickitatCounty SkamaniaCounty

8thGrade 72.0% 63.0% 68.0%10thGrade 75.0% 87.0% 75.0%

12thGrade 78.0% 77.0% 74.0%

Whilethereisnotspecificdataonamountsoffruitsandvegetableseaten,itcanbesuggestedthatthosestudentsnoteatingatleast5fruitsandvegetablesadayarenotreceivingtheirsuggesteddailynutritionalrequirements.Lookingattheresults,itisevidentthatthemajorityof8th,10th,and12thgradestudentsinWashingtonState,KlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesarenoteatingtherecommendedamountoffruitsandvegetablesonadailybasis.Atthestatelevelconsumptionoffruitsandvegetablesdecreasesasthestudentsage(72.0%to78.0%ofthestudentsnotgettingthedailyrecommendation).InKlickitatCounty,the10thgradershavethehighestpercentageofnotgettingthedailyrecommendationoffruitsandvegetables(87.0%).Thegroupeatingthemostfruitsandvegetablesisthe8thgradersinKlickitatCounty(37%eatmorethan5servingsaday),yetthisgroupstillfallsveryshortofmeetingrequirements.InSkamaniaCounty,the8thgradersaretheonesmostlikelytoreachtheirdailyrecommendation(32.0%).

TheBackPackforKidsProgram,a501©3inKlickitatCounty,helpstosupportchildrenwhomaynotgetallthefoodtheyneedathome.Themissionoftheprogramistomeettheneedsofhungrychildrenbyprovidingthemwithnutritiousandeasy‐to‐preparefoodtotakehomeontheweekendsandschoolvacationswhennootherresourcesareavailable.Inthe2008‐2009schoolyear,theprogramprovidedover250HeadStart,Primary,andMiddleSchoolstudentswithweekendfood.175

YouthNutritionandGorgeSchools“Howcanwe,asacommunity,changetheculture?Ittakeskidsandparentsboth–andparentsaretheoneswithfooddollars.”

Schoolfoodserviceprogramsbearsignificantresponsibilityforprovidingchildren’snutritionalneeds.Ashasbeendiscussed,schoolfoodserviceprogramsmustmeetUSDAdietaryguidelinesateachmealandalsomeetchildren’stastepreferences.

InHoodRiverCounty,thefoodserviceprogramhasinstitutednumerouschangesaimedatprovidinghealthierfare:sandwichbread,hamburgerbunsandhoagierollsareallhigh‐fiberwholewheat,asispizzacrust.Avarietyoffreshfruitsandveggiesareoffereddaily.Thefoodserviceprogramreportsthatstudents’favoritesareHoodRiverapples,kiwi,carrots,andcucumbers.

HoodRiverSchoolDistrictWellnessPolicyNutritionGoals:

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PolicyII.1.OverallGoals.HRCSD’sgoalistoensurethatallfoodsavailableonschoolcampuses,includingthoseservedthroughtheNationalSchoolLunchandBreakfastProgramswill:

� Beappealingandattractivetostudents;

� Beservedincleanandpleasantsettings;

� Meet,ataminimum,nutritionrequirementsestablishedbylocal,state,andfederalstatutesandregulations;

� Promoteimprovednutritionthroughpromotionofincreasedconsumptionoffruitsandvegetables,increasedconsumptionofdietaryfiber,anddecreasedconsumptionofunhealthyfatsandaddedsugars.176

WascoandShermanSchoolDistrictWellnessPolicyNutritionGoals:SouthWascoCountySchoolDistrict#1,NorthWascoCountySchoolDistrict21,andShermanCountySchoolDistrictsOverallGoals.Thegoalofallthreeschooldistrictsistohelpensurethatstudentspossesstheknowledgeandskillsnecessarytomakehealthychoicesforalifetime.Theprogramwillbeimplementedby:

� Promotinghealthyeatingthroughnutritioneducation

� Servinghealthyandappealingfoodsatdistrictschools

� Developingfood‐useguidelinesforstaff

� Establishingliaisonswithnutritionserviceproviders

� Ensuringthatphysicalactivityispartoftheschoolday

� Operatingreimbursableschoolmealprograms177

KlickitatandSkamaniaSchoolDistrictWellnessPolicyNutritionGoalsTheSchoolDistrictsinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesallhavecommongoalsbasedaroundnutritionandwellness.Thedistrictsinclude:CentervilleSchoolDistrict#215,GlenwoodschoolDistrict,GoldendaleSchoolDistrict#404,KlickitatSchoolDistrict,LyleSchoolDistrict#406,MillASchoolDistrict,SkamaniaSchoolDistrict#2,Stevenson‐CarsonSchoolDistrict,WhiteSalmonSchoolDistrictandWishramSchoolDistrict.Theboardssupportincreasedemphasisonnutritionaswellasphysicalactivityatallgradelevelstoenhancethewellbeingoftheyouth.Thepolicyoftheboardisto:

� Providestudentsaccesstonutritiousfood

� Provideopportunitiesforphysicalactivityanddevelopmentallyappropriateexercise

� Provideaccurateinformationrelatedtothesetopics

Inaddition,eachschooldistrictshalltakeaproactiveefforttoencouragestudentstomakenutritiousfoodchoicesbyensuringthefollowing:

� Avarietyofhealthyfoodchoicesareavailablewheneverfoodissoldorservedondistrictpropertyoratdistrictsponsoredevents

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� Schoolsshallregulatethesaleandservingoffoodshighinfat,sodiumoraddedsugars

� Nutritiousmealsservedbytheschoolnutritionandfoodserviceoperationcomplywithstateandfederallaw.178

Youthandadultnutritionneedsandideas� ContinuetheeducationeffortsinHRCthroughtheOregonFoodandNutritionProgramand

exploreexpandedpartnershipopportunitieswithlocaldirectmarkets(farmers’markets,farmstands,localfarms)andschools

� WorkwithHoodRiverCountySchoolDistrictWellnessCommitteetofurtherevaluateyouthfruitandvegetableconsumptionandseekwaystoincreaseit.

� ContinuetheeducationeffortsinWascoCountyandexpandtheoperationstoShermanCountythroughtheOregonFoodandNutritionProgram.

� Incorporationofnutritioninformationaboutfruitandvegetableconsumptionintoschoolcurriculumtoincreaseconsumptionamongstudentsatschoolandathome

� Incorporatewaystocookwithfruitsandvegetablesintocurrentnutritionprograms

� Exploreexpandedcoordinationandinformationsharingamongdifferentcounty‐basedandregionalnutritioneducationprogramstobetterdeterminetheresourcesavailableinthecommunityandhowtocombineeffortsandreachmoreindividuals

� Improveaccesstoaffordablefruitsandvegetablesforlow‐incomeindividualsthroughfoodbanks,communitygardens,etc.

� ContinuetheeducationeffortsinKlickitatCountyandexpandtheoperationstoSkamaniaCountythroughtheWashingtonStateUniversityNutritionProgram

� Incorporationofnutritioninformationaboutfruitandvegetableconsumptionintoschoolcurriculumtoincreaseconsumptionamongstudentsatschoolandathome

� Incorporatewaystocookwithfruitsandvegetablesintocurrentnutritionprograms

� ExploreexpandedcoordinationandinformationsharingamongdifferentKlickitatandSkamanianutritioneducationprogramstobetterdeterminetheresourcesavailableinthecommunityandhowtocombineeffortsandreachmoreindividuals

� Improveaccesstoaffordablefruitsandvegetablesforlow‐incomeindividualsthroughfoodbanks,communitygardens,etc.

GardeningatHome,School,andintheCommunity

HomegardeninginHoodRiverCountyMuchlikeinformationoncookingandnutritioninthecounty,dataonHRCresidents’gardeninghabitswasessentiallynonexistentbeforethisfoodassessment.Surveyresearchindicatesthatfruitandvegetablegardeningisprevalentinthecommunity,withjustoverhalf–60.1%‐ofthepopulationreportinggrowingatleast“afewplants”forfood.

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Doyouhaveahomevegetablegarden?Yes,afewplants 25.6%Yes,asmallbackyardplot 23.8%Yes,alargebackyardplot 10.7%No 30.7%No,butIwouldliketolearnhowtostartavegetablegarden 9.2%

Whenaskedtolistsecondarysourcesoffood,37.6%ofsurveyrespondentslistedtheirhomegarden.Another1.8%listedacommunitygarden(seep.30).Theseindividualsmaythusbemorelikelytoseetheirgardentrulyasafoodsourcefortheirfamilies.

FamilieswithhomevegetablegardensinHRCweredemographicallynearlyidenticaltothesurveyrespondentbaseasawhole,indicatingthatthesegardensarespreadacrossfamiliesofvaryingincomesanddifferentethnicitiesinthecommunity.

HomegardeninginWascoandShermanCountiesMuchliketheinformationoncookingandnutritioninthetwocountiesandlikeinHoodRiverCounty,dataonWascoandShermanresidents’gardeninghabitswasessentiallynonexistentbeforethisassessment.Surveyresearchindicatesthatfruitandvegetablegardeningisprevalentinthecommunity,withoverhalf–64.8%inWascoand66.1%inSherman–ofthepopulationreportinggrowingatleast“afewplants”forfood.

Doyouhaveahomevegetablegarden?

Wasco Sherman

Yes,afewplants 30.7% 29.9%Yes,asmallbackyardplot 21.0% 24.4%

Yes,alargebackyardplot 13.1% 11.8%

No 28.6% 32.3%No,butIwouldliketolearnhowtostartavegetablegarden 6.7% 1.6%

Whenaskedtolistsecondarysourcesoffoodsurveyrespondentslistedahomegardenasaprimarysource,51.3%inShermanCountyand52.0%inWascoCounty.Another3.8%inWascoCountyand0.8%inShermanCountylistedacommunitygardenasasecondarysourceoffood.Theseindividualsmaythusbemorelikelytoseetheirgardenasafoodsourcefortheirfamilies.

FamilieswithhomevegetablegardensinWascoandShermanCountiesweredemographicallynearlyidenticaltothesurveyrespondentasawhole,indicatingthatthesegardensarespreadacrossfamiliesofdifferentethnicitiesandvaryingincomesinthecommunity.However,anexceptionwasfoundamongthosesurveyrespondentsofWascoCountywhoreportedanannualincomeoflessthan$10,000.Theywerelesslikelytohaveahomegardenthanthegeneralsurveypopulationthatreportedhavinganincomeoflessthan$10,000(5.8%downfrom11.2%).ThissuggestsapossibleneedforgardeningeducationamongthepoorestofWascoCounty.

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HomegardeninginKlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesSurveyresearchindicatesthegardeningisprevalentinthecommunity,withoverhalf–65.5%inKlickitatCountyand67.2%inSkamaniaCounty–ofthepopulationreportinggrowingatleast“afewplants”forfood.

Doyouhaveahomevegetablegarden?

Klickitat Skamania

Yes,afewplants 25.8% 27.3%Yes,asmallbackyardplot 20.4% 20.7%

Yes,alargebackyardplot 19.3% 19.2%No 28.9% 26.3%

No,butIwouldliketolearnhowtostartavegetablegarden 5.5% 6.6%

Whenaskedtolistsecondarysourcesoffood,surveyrespondentslistedahomegardenasaprimarysource,44.8%inKlickitatCountyand49.5%inSkamaniaCounty.Another1.3%inKlickitatCountyand2.2%inSkamaniaCountylistedacommunitygardenasasecondarysourceoffood.Theseindividualsmaybemorelikelytoseetheirgardensasafoodsourcefortheirfamilies.

FamilieswithhomevegetablegardensinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesweredemographicallynearlyidenticaltothesurveyrespondents,indicatingthattheregardensarespreadacrossfamiliesofdifferentethnicitiesandvaryingincomesinthecommunity.However,afewexceptionswerefoundamongresidentsofbothcounties.InKlickitatCounty,respondentswhoreportedanannualincomeoflessthan$10,000werelesslikelytohaveagardenthanthesamedemographicgroupfromthegeneralsurveypopulation(5.8%downfrom8.4%).InSkamaniaCounty,respondentswhoreportedanannualincomeof$20,000orlesswerealsolesslikelytohaveagardenthanthesamedemographicfromthegeneralsurveypopulation(10.9%downfrom14.4%).ThissuggestsapossibleneedforgardeningeducationamongthepoorestinKlickitatandSkamaniaCounties.

CommunitygardensintheGorgeAsof2009,communitygardeningeffortsarelimitedintheGorge.Astheregioniscomposedofpredominantlyruralcommunitieswithplentyofopenspace,spaceforgardensmaybeperceivedaslessurgent.Thatsaid,formanyrentersortemporaryresidents,gardenspaceatacommunitygardenisanimportantresource.

Doyouhaveagardeningplot(space)atacommunitygarden?


No 81.7% 83.0% 88.7% 84.9% 81.6%

No,butImightliketohaveone 15.3% 12.5% 8.1% 9.8% 14.2%Yes(Pleasespecifywhere) 3.0% 4.5% 3.2% 5.3% 4.2%

Respondentindicating“yes”inWascoCountygardenattheestablishedcommunitygardensinthecounty(Mosier,Utopia,DIG,andEastside)andsharingspacewithneighbors/familymembers.TherearenoknownestablishedcommunitygardensinShermanCounty,withrespondentssharingspacewithintheneighborhood.

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RespondentsinKlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesindicatingthattheyhadacommunitygardenplotweremainlyatestablishedcommunitygardensinKlickitatCommunity(BethelCongregationalChurch,WishramCommunityGarden,TroutLakeCSAGarden,CommonGrounds,andGoldendaleCommunityGarden)andtheoneestablishedcommunitygardeninSkamaniaCountyattheCountyFairgrounds

Inaddition,severalrespondentsinallmisunderstoodthequestionandspecifiedtheirhomesorfarmsaswheretheyhadacommunitygardenplot,suggestingtheremaybesomeeducationneedsaroundwhatacommunitygardenisandhowitworks.

Benefitsofhomeandcommunitygardening:HoodRiverCountyResultsfromoursurveyindicatenumerousbenefitstohomegardening,includinglessfoodinsecurityasmeasuredbymealskipping.OfgardenersinHRC,9.1%reportskippingmealsatleastonceamonth,downfrom21.1%;andonly5.4%skipmealssothattheirkidscaneat,downfrom19%.

Gardenerseatmorefruitsandvegetables,too:77.7%ofgardenersreporteatingfreshfruitsorvegetablesatleastonceaday,comparedtoonly52.6%ofnon‐gardenersand68.5%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.Theysharetheirbounty,too:

Doyoutradeorshareyourextragardenproducewithfriendsorfamily?Yes 69.6%No 30.4%

Havingagardendidnotmeasurablyimpactwhetherornotsurveyrespondentshavesoughtouthelpfromgovernmentfoodassistanceprograms.Italsodidnotsignificantlyimpactwhetherornotfamiliescookedmostorallmealsathome:85.5%ofgardeners,reportcookingmostorallmealsathome,comparedto81.1%ofallfamilies.However,familiesthatonlycookfewornomealsathomearelesslikelytogarden(53.9%donothaveagarden,comparedto39.9%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation).

Benefitsofhomeandcommunitygardening:WascoandShermanCountyResultsfromthesurveyindicatenumerousbenefitstohomegardening,includinglessfoodinsecurityasmeasuredbyskippingmeals.OfhomeandcommunitygardenersinWascoCounty,5.8%and0%reportskippingmealsonceamonthormore,downfrom10.1%inthegeneralsurveypopulation.SimilarresultsareseeninWascoCountyforthosehomeandcommunitygardenerswhoskipmealsfortheirchildren,downto8.9%and3.7%from11.6%ofthegeneralsurveyrespondents.InShermanCounty,thepercentageofhomegardenersskippingmealsiscomparabletothatofthegeneralsurveypopulation,indicatingthatgardenshavelittleimpactonthefoodsecurityinShermanCounty.

Gardenerseatmorefruitsandvegetables,aswell:79.8%ofhomegardenersand79.3%ofcommunitygardenersinWascoCountyreporteatingfreshfruitsandvegetablesatleastonceaday,comparedto53.6%ofnon‐homegardenersand70.0%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.InShermanCounty79.8%ofhomegardenersand75.0%ofcommunitygardenersreporteatingfresh

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fruitsandvegetablesatleastonceaday,comparedto51.2%ofnon‐homegardenersand49.5%ofthegeneralpopulation.Theysharetheirbounty,too:

Ifyoudohaveahomeorcommunitygarden:

Yes No Maybe

Wasco Sherman Wasco Sherman Wasco Sherman

Doyoutradeorshareyourextragardenproducewithfriendsorfamily? 81.6% 91.3% 16.1% 8.8% 2.4% 0%

Wouldyoubeinterestedinsellingit? 16.6% 12.3% 60.4% 56.2% 23.1% 31.5%

Wouldyoubeinterestedindonatingittoalocalfoodpantry? 37.6% 44.3% 20.2% 15.7% 42.1% 40.0%

HavingagardeninWascoCountydidnotmeasurablyimpactwhetherornotsurveyrespondentshavesoughthelpfromgovernmentfoodassistanceprograms.Italsodidnotsignificantlyimpactwhetherornotfamiliescookedmostorallmealsathome:83.4%ofhomegardeners,reportcookingmostoralloftheirmealsathome,comparedto78.9%ofallfamilies.However,familiesthatonlycookfewornomealsathomearelesslikelytogarden(48.9%donothaveagarden,comparedto35.3%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation).

HavingagardeninShermanCountydidnotmeasurablyimpactwhetherornotsurveyrespondentshavesoughtouthelpfromgovernmentfoodassistanceprograms.Itdid,however,haveaslightimpactonwhetherornotfamiliescookedmostorallofmealsathome:89.1%ofgardenersreportcookingmostorallmealsathome,comparesto80.5%ofallthefamilies.Familiesthatcookonlyafewornomealsathomearelesslikelytogarden(64%donothaveagarden,comparedto33.9%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation).

Benefitsofhomeandcommunitygardening:KlickitatandSkamaniaCountiesResultsfromthesurveyindicatenumerousbenefitstohomegardening,includinglessfoodinsecurityasmeasuredbyskippingmeals.OfhomegardenersinKlickitatCounty,7.0%reportskippingmealsatleastonceamonthormore,aslightdecreasefrom7.9%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.SimilarresultsareseeninKlickitatCountyforthosehomeandcommunitygardenerswhoskipmealsfortheirchildren,downto7.1%and5.7%from8.0%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.OfhomegardenersinSkamaniaCounty9.1%skippedmealsatleastonceamonthand9.3%skippedmealsforchildrendownfrom14%and13.4%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.OfcommunitygardenersinSkamaniaCounty0%skippedmealsforchildren.

Gardenerseatmorefruitsandvegetables,aswell:74.4%ofhomegardenersinKlickitatCountyreporteatingfreshfruitsandvegetablesatleastonceaday,comparedto56.2%ofnon‐homegardenersand67.6%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.InSkamaniaCounty,78.7%ofhome

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gardenersreporteatingfreshfruitsandvegetablesatleastonceaday,comparedto52.3%ofnon‐homegardenersand70.2%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.Theysharetheirbounty,too:

Ifyouhaveagarden,doyoutradeorshareextragardenproducewithfriendsorfamily?

Klickitat SkamaniaYes 80.7% 86.0%

No 19.3% 14.0%

Ifyouhaveagarden,wouldyoubeinterestedinsellingyourextraproduce?

Klickitat Skamania

Yes 15.2% 25.9%No 49.7% 40.7%

Maybe 35.1% 33.3%

HavingagardeninKlickitatCountyhadasmallimpactonthoseseekinggovernmentassistanceprograms,42.6%downfrom45.8%ofthegeneralsurveypopulationandsignificantlylowerthanthosewhohadnogarden(51.5%).Italsohadasmallimpactonthepercentoffamiliescookingmostoralloftheirmeals,86.7%upfrom84%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.However,familiesthatonlycookfewornomealsathomearelesslikelytogarden(45.0%donothaveagarden,comparedto34.4%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.)

HavingagardeninSkamaniaCountyhadaslightimpactonthoseseekinggovernmentassistanceprograms,48.8%comparedto54.1%ofthegeneralsurveypopulationand65.5%ofthosewhohadnohomegarden.Italsohadasmallimpactonthepercentoffamiliescookingmostoralloftheirmeals,89.4%upfrom85.2%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.However,familiesthatonlycookfewornomealsathomearelesslikelytogarden.(51.7%donothaveagarden,comparedto32.9%ofthegeneralsurveypopulation.)

WhowantstolearntogardenintheGorge?

HoodRiverCounty

Surveyresultsindicatethatfamilieswithoutahomevegetablegardenhavemodestinterestinlearninghowtostartone,particularlyinHoodRiver,Wasco,Klickitat,andSkamaniaCounties.Muchlikethecounty’snutritioneducationprojects,countygardeninginstructionalprogramswouldbenefitfrombettercoordinationandresourcesharingtodeterminehowbesttomeettheneedsofthosewhowanttolearnhomevegetablegardening.Whoarethefolkswithinterest?

WhoarethepeopleinHoodRiverCountywhohaveinterestinlearningtogarden? 45.1%areonorhavebeenongovernmentfoodassistanceprograms 21.1%skipmealsatleastonceamonthbecausefoodisscarce 37.9%wouldalsoliketolearnbasicfoodpreservingskills 52.6%arealsolookingforcookingclasses

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36.8%arealsointerestedingleaning 50%areinterestedinacommunitygardenspot 33%areLatino 69%areunderage35

WhoarethepeopleinWascoCountywhohaveinterestinlearningtogarden?

18.2%skipmealsonceormoreamonthbecausefoodisscarce 65.9%areonorhavebeenongovernmentfoodassistanceprograms 40.8%wouldalsoliketolearnbasicfoodpreservingskills 62.2%arealsolookingforcookingclasses 37.2%areinterestedinacommunitygardenspot 25.0%arealsointerestedingleaning 48.9%areundertheageof35 22.7%areLatino 48.9%haveanincomeof$40,000orlessayear

WhoarethepeopleinKlickitatCountywhohaveaninterestinlearningtogarden? 5.1%skipmealsonceamonthormorebecausefoodisscarce 52.6%areonorhavebeenongovernmentassistanceprograms 52.6%wouldalsoliketolearnbasicfoodpreservingskills 61.5%arealsointerestedincookingclasses 47.2%areinterestedinacommunitygardenspot 40.5%havesomeinterestingleaning 66.7%areundertheageof35 10.5%areLatino 40.5%haveanincomeof$40,000orlessayear

WhoarethepeopleinSkamaniaCountywhohaveaninterestinlearningtogarden? 38.5%skipmealsatleastonceamonthormorebecausefoodisscarce 63.6%areonorhavebeenongovernmentfoodassistanceprograms 23.1%wouldalsoliketolearnbasicfoodpreservingskills 91.7%arealsointerestedincookingclasses 15.4%areinterestedinlearningmoreaboutgleaning 38.5%areundertheageof35 8.3%areLatino 33.3%haveanincomeof$40,000orlessayear

2008CommunityGardenInventory:HoodRiverCountyAsof2008,communitygardeningeffortsarelimitedinHoodRiverCounty.Asapredominantlyruralcommunitywithplentyofopenspace,spaceforgardensisperceivedaslessurgent.Thatsaid,formanyrentersortemporaryresidents,gardenspaceatacommunitygardenisanimportantresource.

Doyouhaveagardeningplot(space)atacommunitygarden?

No 81.7%

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No,butImightliketohaveone 15.3%Yes(Pleasespecifywhere) 3.0%

Respondentsindicatingyesgardenatthetwoestablishedcommunitygardensinthecounty(LaClinicaandNazarene,informationbelow)andatseveralinformal/neighbor’stypegardenarrangements.Severalrespondentsmisunderstoodthequestionandspecifiedtheirhomeaswheretheygarden,meaningtheremaybesomeeducationneedsaroundwhatacommunitygardenisandhowitworks.

LaClinicadelCariñoCommunityGarden

LaClinica’sgardenwasstartedin2004with50plots.In2008itwasexpandedto100plots,withalimitof2perfamily.Thegardenwasinitiallyfreebutnowcosts$10/plotperseasontohelpcoveroperatingcosts.Thegardenisentirelyorganic.AprimaryconstituentbaseforthegardenisfamiliesintheLaNuevaCosechaprogram,manyofwhomarerentersordonothavesuitablelandwheretheylivetogarden.

LaClinicacoversthegarden’swatercosts;othermodestcostsarecoveredbyplotrentalfees.Itismanagedbyvolunteers,someofwhomworkatLaClinicaandsomewhodonot.Becausethegardendoesnothavefundingforeventsoreducationalopportunities,projectvolunteersindicatethattheseneedsgounmet,andcouldgoalongwaytowardincreasingthesenseofcommunityatthegardenandbuildinggardeners’skills.179

HoodRiverChurchoftheNazareneGarden

TheHoodRiverChurchoftheNazarenelauncheditsgardeninsummer2008.Thegardenwasaninitiativeofchurchmembersandwasfinanciallysupportedcompletelybychurchfunds.Organizersreportthatcostswereminimalandmuchtimeandsupportwasdonated.Of40spaces,allbutapproximately9werefilledbywordofmouth.Churchvolunteersare“learningastheygo”andinterestedincommunicatingwithothercommunitygardensintheregionandexpandingthegardenasneedarises.180

SPOTLIGHTonRaices/LaNuevaCosecha

LaNuevaCosecha:itmeans“newharvest.”InHoodRiverCounty,italsomeanshealthier,morefoodsecureLatinofamilies,thanksto3yearsofthishomegardeningeducationprogram.LaNuevaCosecha(formerlycalledRaices,orRoots)isa3year‐oldprojectoftheNuestraCommunidadSanaprogramatTheNextDoorInc,inpartnershipwithLaClinicadelCarino.Itisanonprofit,community‐basedventurebasedonthepremisethatLatinofamiliesinthecommunitywhogardenarehealthier,moreactive,andmorefoodsecure.Theresultsshowthatthisistrue:

ImpactofRaíces,2005‐2007combined(newfamiliesonly,n=40) Beforegarden Aftergarden Difference

Adultswhoatevegetablesseveraltimesaday 25% 60% ↑140%

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Childrenwhoatevegetablesseveraltimesaday 23% 50% ↑117%

Familieswhoworriedtheywouldrunoutoffoodbeforehavingmoneyformore 50% 10% ↓80%

Adultssometimesskipmealsbecausefamilyranoutofmoney 23% 5% ↓78%

Childrensometimesskipmealsbecausefamilyranoutofmoney 10% 0 ↓100%

Source: 2007 La Nueva Cosecha survey data Inaddition,withfamilieswhohavegardenedformultipleyearsthroughtheprogram,surveysshowthattheirfoodworriesarelowereachyear:thushavingagardenmayhelpthemfeelmorefoodsecureallyearlong,evenwhentheirgardenisnotproducing,byprovidingagreatersenseofself‐sufficiency.181

LaNuevaCosechaworkswithfamilieswhoarenewtogardeningandwiththosewhohavegardenedinthepast.Themajorityhaveatleastsomegardenexperience,eitherintheUnitedStatesorinMexico.Familiesintheprogramlivethroughoutthecounty,andgardeneitherathomeoratthecommunitygardenspacedesignedforthisproject(andthepublic)atLaClinica.Theproject’scoordinatorhelpsfamilieswithstartuplogisticsinthespring,seeksdonatedseedsandstartswhenpossible,runsgardenermeetingswherefolkscanshareideasandquestions,andmakesgardenvisitsasneededtohelpgardenerssolveproblemsandimprovetheirgardens.Theprogramhostsanend‐of‐seasonharvestpartyeveryyearaswelltocapofftheseason.Thus,thisprojectemphasizesnotjustthehealthbenefitsofgardening,butthecommunitybenefits–programparticipantsnote:

- Ilearnedalotfromlisteningtoothers(atgardenermeetings)- Weatewellandgottomeetpeoplewedidn’tknow- Ireallylikedthattheygaveusanorientationandsupport

Manyoftheparticipatingfamilieshaveafamilymemberwithdiabetesorotherhealthconcerns.182LaNuevaCosechaislinkedtoanotherLaClinicahealthprogram,thePasosaSalud(StepstoWellness)program,discussedearlierinthischapter.Thisinnovative,integratedapproach–medicalanddietaryadvising,gardening,andcommunitysupportgroups–isonethathasshownpositiveresults,accordingtoprogramstaffandparticipants.

100%offamiliesinvolvedinLaNuevaCosechasaidithashelpedtheirfamily.Theygotthesupporttheyneededandplannedtocontinuewiththeirgardensintothefuture.183

Inthefuture,LaNuevaCosechawouldliketofindpartnersandlandformorecommunitygardenspacesforitsgardeners.WhiletheLaClinicagardenisamplysized,itcanbealongdriveforfamiliesinotherpartsofthecounty,suchasOdellorParkdale.Gardenspaceinthesecommunitieswouldespeciallybenefitfamilieswholiveinapartments,areseasonalresidents,ordonothavesufficienthomegardenspace.

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Currently,mostgardenersintheprogramdonothavealargeamountofexcessproduce,butsomehaveexpressedinterestingrowingextraproduceforsaleatalocalfarmers’market.

LaNuevaCosechaNeedsandIdeas

- MorecommunitygardenspaceoutsideofHoodRiver- Explorethepossibilityoffamiliesjointlysellingproduceatlocalfarmers’markets

2009CommunityGardenInventory:WascoandShermanCounties

EastsideCommunityGarden

Thecommunitygardenwasstartedinthespringof2009onasmallamountoflandownedbyRandyHager.Thelong‐termvisionofthegardenistoincreasethesizeandnumberofparticipantsinthegardenandtoincreasetheproductionofheirloomseeds.Inthefirstyear,12peoplehadaplotinthegarden.Theinitialinterestandenthusiasmtaperedoffasthegrowingseasoncontinued.Forcontinuedsuccessofthecommunitygardenthereneedstobemorecommunitysupportandeducationprovidedabouttheimportanceofgrowingandeatinglocalfood.184

St.PaulEpiscopal‐PlantaRowGarden

St.PaulEpiscopalChurchcurrentlyrunsthePlantaRowGarden.In2009,10to15churchmemberseachplantedanadditionalrowintheirhomegardensanddonatedtheextraproducetotheCommunityConnectionsFoodPantry.Thelong‐termgoalofthechurchistohaveagardenplotatthechurch,butthechurchcurrentlylacksthefundsandadministrativesupporttomakeithappen.Thefutureofthegardenprojectisdependentonfindingwaystomotivatechurchmembers,astherewasminimalinterestandparticipationinthefirstyear.185

TheDallesImaginationGarden(DIG)

TheDIGCommunityGardeninTheDallesisa2.5year‐oldcommunitygardenthatisrunbyMasterGardenerswhodonate1100hoursayearvolunteeringinthegarden.ThemissionoftheDIGGardeniseducatestudentsabouthorticultureandteachthemhowtogrowtheirownfoodfromseedtoharvestandhavetheskillstheyneedtogrowtheirownfoodfortherestoftheirlives.Thegardenhasseenlotsofcommunitysupportandhaseasilybeenabletoinvolvechildren.Thechildrentakeproducehomefromthegardenandtheexcessisdonatedtothefoodpantry.Theresourcesatthegardeninclude16,000squarefeetoflandwith11raisedbedsandfarmspacethatisusedforteaching.Alsoavailableisirrigation,atoolshed,andmuralwall.186

SPOTLIGHTonUtopiaCommunityGardenIn2009,thevisionofmorethan20communitymembersandprofessionals,andthededicationofavolunteersteeringcommunityhelpedcreatetheUtopiaCommunityGarden:aplacewherecommunitymembersinteractandfamiliesconnectwiththeearth.AttheUtopiagarden,gardenerslearnedtogrownutritiousfood,shareresourcesandinfluencetheworldinsustainableways–fromseedtostomach.Inthefirstyearoftheprojectnewandexperiencedgardenerswereabletolearnfromoneanother,workcollaborativelyandbuildsocialcapital.Participantsinthefirstyearoverwhelminglyagreedthatthegardenimprovedindividualandhouseholdhealth.Resultsfrom

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participantinterviewsconductedbeforeandafterthegardeningseasonaresummarizedbelowtoaddressissuesofnutritionandfoodsecurity:

ImpactofUtopiaCommunityGarden,2009

BeforeGarden

GardeninProduction Difference

Adultswhoatevegetablesseveraltimesaday 56% 50% ‐10.7%

Adultswhoatevegetablesonceaday 19% 30% 57.9%

Childrenwhoatevegetablesseveraltimesaday 31% 30% ‐3.2%

Childrenwhoatevegetablesonceaday 0% 10% 100%

Familieswhoworriedatleastonceamonththatfoodwouldrunoutbeforehavingmoremoney 32% 10% ‐68.8%

Adultswhoskippedamealonceortwiceamonthbecausehouseholdmoneyranout 25% 0% ‐100%

Childrenwhoskippedamealonceortwiceamonthbecausehouseholdmoneyranout 6% 0% ‐100%Source:2009UtopiaCommunityGardensurveydata,PreandPostSeason

Thegardenhadasignificantimpactonchildrenandadultswhowereeatingvegetablesonceaday.Beforehand,costwasreportedasthebiggestbarrierforfamiliestoaccessthefoodtheyneed,especiallyfreshfruitandvegetables.Thegardenhelpedtoincreasefoodsecurity,withfamilieswhoworriedaboutfoodshowinga68.8%decrease.90%ofthefamiliessaidtheUtopiaCommunityGardenimprovedthehealthoftheirfamilies.Herearesomereasonswhy:

� “Wegottoeatalotmorefreshproducethanwenormallyhave,whichhasencouragedustoeathealthieroveralloncewerealizedhowtastyitis!Wearemoreopentodifferentfoodsandeatlesspre‐packagedmeals.Itwasanopportunityformetogetoutinthefreshairandgetsomeexercise.”

� “IatemorevegetablesthanIwouldhaveotherwise,andIbenefitedfromtherelaxingenvironmentofthegarden.”

� “Ididsomecanning,andweaterightoutofthegarden!Theboyswereveryexcitedtohelpharvestandeatwhatwehad.”

� “Wealreadyeatalotofvegetablesbuttheexerciseinvolvedingardeningwasgood,andIthinkweateevenmorevegetableswiththegarden.”

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Thegardenalsoallowedthefamiliestobehealthierbyprovidingphysicalactivityintheirlives.Themajorityofthefamiliesthatplantedlivewithinwalkingdistanceofthegardenanddonothavespacetogardenathome.80%ofthefamiliesspentacoupleofhoursaweekphysicallyactiveinthegardenandsfor50%ofthefamiliesthegardenwastheirprimarysourceofphysicaloutdooractivityduringthegardeningseason.

Halfoftheparticipantshadatleastbeginners‐levelexperiencegrowingtheirownfoodbeforetheUtopiaCommunityGardenProjectandthemajorityofthegardenerssharedextraproducewithfriends,family,neighbors,andothergardeners.Overallthegardenhelpedserveasaplacetolearnandformbonds.Hereiswhatpeoplehadtosay:

� “Ilovedlearningthenutsandboltsofgardeningfromalltheexperiencedgardeners.Thegardenwasarelaxingplaceformetorelaxafterwork,whilewateringtheplants.Ienjoyedmeetingthepeopleinvolvedwiththegardenandeatingmydelicioustomatoes.”

� “Ihadagoodtime,andIactuallygrewalotoffoodandgavesometofriendsinneed.”

� “Ilearnedhowtotakecareofplants.IlearnedalotofthingsIdidn’tknowbefore.”

� “Icanknowtelldifferentplantsapartandlearnedwhichonesneedmorewater.”

� “Ihadagreatdealoffunwiththegarden.Itfeltlikeforthefirsttimeinaverylongtime,Ifinallyhadaniceplacetogoanddosomethingthatbroughtmeagreatdealofjoy,aplacewhereIdidn’thavetobe“Mommy”or“Wife”,whereIcouldjustgoandhaveenrichingquiettime.Ihadagreatdealofenjoymentingrowingthings,watchingplantsgrowandmatureandinsharingtheproducewithmyfamily,andineatingthetastyresults.”

� “Ilearnedwhattemperaturedifferentseedscanbegingrowing,howtopreparesoil/compost,andhowIshouldwatermyplants.”

� “Ilearnedalotofplantinginformationandskillsonhowtomakehealthyfoodswiththecommunityandfoodprograms.”

� Sinceitwasmyfirsttimereallygardening,Ithinkmyskillsimproved.Ilearneddifferentwaystoenrichthesoil,howtocompost,organicmethodsofpestcontrol,howmuchspaceandwatercertainplantsneed,etc.”

� “Wonderful!IproducedwaymorethanIthoughtIwould/could.”

Involvementwashighthefirstyearwith15groupsinvolvedandwith50peopleaffectedbythegarden.ThegardenwillbeorganizedbyapartnershipbetweenTheDallesGorgeGrown,Wy’EastResourceConservationandDevelopment,andWascoCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrictin2010.187

2009CommunityGardenInventory:KlickitatandSkamaniaCounties

BethelCongregationalChurch,WhiteSalmon

In2009,theBethelCongregationalChurchdecidedattheirannualmeetingtofocusonfoodissuesandstartedasmallcommunitygarden(25feetby20feet,withraisedbeds)onpropertydonated

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bythechurch.Thegardenhasavolunteercoordinatorandiscompletelyrunbycongregationalmembers,includingchildren.ThefirstyearwassuccessfulwithalltheproducebeingdonatedtothefoodbankinBingen.Thechurchplanstomaintainthegardeninthecomingyears,withthegoalforittobeasustainableprojectforthechurch.188

CommonGrounds,Bingen

CommonGroundsisagroupfromtheWSUHorizonsprograminWhiteSalmonandBingenthathavemanagedtwocommunitygardensinBingensince2008.HumboldtGardenislocatednearDaubenspeckParkandisplantedmainlybyCommonGroundsmembersthatdonatetheproducetothelocalfoodbank,donating4000poundsin2009.SkylineGardenislocatedbyRhineVillage.Thosewholeasespaceusetheproduceforpersonalconsumptionortheirbusinesses.In2009,thenumberofgardenersdoubledthough2/3rdsofthespacewasnotleasedout.Forthegardenstohavecontinuedsuccessthereneedstobeapushformoreparticipation.Thegardenswouldalsobenefitfromastrongerfinancialbasisandmoreresources(equipment,cooperativebuyingpower,insurance,etc.)189

TroutLakeCSAVegetableGarden

Startedin2009,16familiespooledtogethermoneytoleaselandtogetherandranwiththeassistanceofavolunteermanageraCommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA)garden.Themembershipwasbasedonasweatequitysystem,whereallthemembersworkedtomaintainthegarden.ThegardenwasstartedasavehicleforsustainablelivinginTroutlake.Theoneacreplotwasextremelysuccessfulinthefirstyear.Thememberssoldthevegetablesfor$1perpoundor$0.50perpoundforU‐pick.Inaddition,themembersdonated100poundsofpotatoestotheschoolandover500poundsofvegetablestothefoodbankinBingen.25%oftheharvestwastakenbytheownerofthelandtocoverpartialcostofthelease.Duetothesuccessofthefirstyear,thegroupisthinkingofexpandingthegardento2or3acresin2010andsellingeithersubscriptionboxesorU‐pickmemberships.ForcontinuedsuccessoftheCSAgardenitmaybenecessarytohaveapaidmanagerandbringintechnicalsupport,asnoneofthemembersaretrainedgardeners.190

BethelAssistedLiving,WhiteSalmon

Thegardenwasstartedin2009whenCassieWhite,astaffmemberofBethelAssistedLivingandthevolunteergardencoordinator,identifiedfreshproduceandtimeoutdoorsasaneedoftheresidents.ThegardenwasstartedwiththehelpoftheHorizonsprogramandwasextremelysuccessfulincreatingasenseofcommunityandneighborhoodbonding.Theproducewasdividedamongthe46residentswhohelpedincaringforthegarden.Thereareplanstoexpandthegardenin2010,astherewasnotenoughspaceforallthepeoplewhowantedtoparticipate,withraisedbedsandplantingoffruittrees.Theyhopetoinvolvemoreofthecommunityintheprojectandprovideproduceforthecommunityaswell.191

WishramCommunityGarden

In2009,thesmallgardenwasrunthroughagardencoordinatorandfourregularvolunteersfromtheWishramHorizonsgroup.Theproduceismainlyusedbythevolunteersthatworkinthegarden,withsomealsobeingdonatedtoin‐needcommunitymembers.Thegardenwillbemoresuccessfulinthefuturewithhelpfromadditionalvolunteersandmorecommunitysupport.The

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coordinatorwouldalsoliketoexpandeffortsinthegardenbyhavingapermanentvegetablestandandsignageandbyworkingwiththeschooltomakethegardenaneducationsite.192

GoldendaleCommunityGarden

Thesmallgardeniscurrentlymanagedbyavolunteercoordinatorandvolunteersthatmaintainthegarden,includingMasterGardeners.Thelandandwaterweredonatedforthecommunitygardenandthegroupwouldliketoexpandthegardennextyeartoincludemoreraisedbeds.Theproduceismainlytakenhomeforusebythegardensparticipants,thoughsomeisenteredintheCountyFairandtheextragoestothefoodbank.ExtraproducemayalsobeutilizedbytheschoolinCentervillenextyear.193

SkamaniaCommunityGarden

ThecommunitygardenlocatedatthefairgroundswasstartedthroughthevisioningprocessoftheyouthadvisoryboardtotheSkamaniaCountyPublicOutreachProgram(SCPOP)whothoughtthatbyhavingacommunitygardentheycouldteachpeopletoeathealthierbygrowingtheirownfood.ThegardenissupportedbytheSCPOPDirectorandadedicatedgroupof75‐100volunteers.Thegardenalsoreceivedsupportfromagardencommitteeof12members,theSCPOPyouthgroupof18members,theJuvenileworkcrew,adultcorrections,StevensonHighSchoolStudentsforacommunityworkday,StevensonHighSchoolBotanystudents,FacilityandRecStaff,WSUExtensionAgentandMasterGardnersfromthecommunity.Thegardenhasbeenverysuccessfulandtheyhaveplanstoexpandthegardenfrom24to50or54raisedbedsin2010.Forthistobepossibleadditionalfundingformaterialsisnecessary.Mostoftheproducewastakenhomebythepeoplewhoparticipated,thoughtwogroupsdonatedtotheDomesticViolenceShelterandtothefoodbankinStevenson.TheSCPOPdirectorwouldliketoseeacommunitygardenineverycommunityinSkamaniaCounty.194

HomeandcommunitygardeningresourcesintheGorgeResourcesforaspiringhomegardenersdoexistintheregion,thougheffortsareslowedbylackoffundingandorganizationalcapacitytogrowprogramsorexpandofferings.Gardenersintheregiongaingardeningskillsfromavarietyofsources:

Focusgroups:wheredotheygetgardeninginfo?FriendsOSU/WSUExtension/MasterGardenersGoodNewsGardeningLibraryGardenClubOnlineOthergardeners

OSUMasterGardenerProgram

OSUMasterGardenertrainingiscurrentlyofferedonlyinWascoandHoodRiverCounty.ResidentsofShermanCountycanbetrainedthroughtheWascoCountyprogram,asthetrainingisopentoeveryonewithaninterestingardening.Theprogramconsistsoftwoparts:10weeksofclassroom

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trainingfollowedby55hoursofcommunityvolunteerhoursextendinghomegardeninginformationtoothersinthecommunity.Theprogramisthemostcomprehensivegardeneducationopportunityinthecountyandremainsapopularoption.

11newWascoCountyMasterGardenersweretrainedin2009,bringingthetotaltoapproximately47MasterGardenersinWascoCounty.ThegroupisactivewithyouthinthecommunityandrunstheDIGcommunitygardeninTheDalles,aswellastheMasterGardenerJr.Program.TheprograminWascoCountyisinterestedinexpandingtheprogramandtrainingmorepeoplewhohaveaninterestinthegardeningandhorticulture.195Since2001,approximately115MasterGardenershavebeentrainedinHoodRiverCounty,withapproximately60MasterGardenersactiveinthecommunityatanygiventimein2008.196CurrentMGsexpressedinterestduringinterviewsinexpandingtheprogram’strainingandvolunteeropportunitieswithvegetablegardens,especiallycommunityandschoolgardens,whichcouldbenefitfromtheexpertiseandvolunteerhoursMGshavetooffer.

OSUMasterGardenerJr.Program

WascoCountyMasterGardenerrunsatwo‐weekJuniorMasterGardnerProgram.In2009,37fifthandsixthgradersparticipated.ThroughtwosessionsatChenowethElementarySchool,studentslearnedhowtodesignagarden,encouragebackyardwildlife,andidentifyweeds.Theyalsolearnedaboutbeneficialinsectsandhowtoplantannualsinappropriatesettings.Thegoaloftheprogramistocaptureandretaintheinterestofyouthingardening.TheSeedsandSoilprogram,whichteachesfourthgradestudentsthebasicsofgerminationandsoilhealth/composition,isanintroductiontotheJr.MasterGardenerProgram.197

HoodRiverCountyCommunityEducationProgram

HomegardeningclassesarealsofrequentlyofferedthroughHoodRiverCounty’sCommunityEducationprogram,albeitnotonaregularbasis.CurrentlyneithertheMGprogramnorclassesthroughCommunityEducationareofferedinSpanish.

4‐H

The4‐HprogramisextremelyactiveinShermanCounty,with43%usebychildrenthatareeligible.Thisprogramhasahorticultureandgardeningportionthatteachesthechildrenaboutgardeningfromplantingoftheseedstoharvestandsellingvegetables.198In2009,the4‐HExtensionofficeinSkamaniaCountyofferedcourseingardeningto30youthinthecounty.Thecoursecoveredbasicsincluding:howtoplan,prepare,plant,andcareforagarden;selecting,harvestingandpreparingvegetablesorotherplantsforexhibit;anddesigningandconductinganexperiment.199HoodRiverCountyalsomaintainsanactive4‐Hprogram.

WSUMasterGardenerProgram:

Therearecurrently20MasterGardenersthatliveinKlickitatCounty.In2009,therewerenonewlytrainedMasterGardenersthroughtheKlickitatCountyWSUextensionoffice.ThecurrentMasterGardenersare,however,veryactiveinthecounty.TheyparticipateintheHomeandGardenshowinGoldendale,heldinthespring.TheyhaveofferplantclinicsattheFairandeveryThursdayattheKlickitatWSUExtensionoffice.Inaddition,theyhelpruntheCentervilleSchoolGardenandGoldendaleCommunityGardenandrunafewactivitiesayear,suchasapumpkincontestto

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encouragepeopletoplant.ThegroupisalsotryingtohelptheLutheranChristtheKingChurchinGoldendalewithstartingacommunitygarden.200

CurrentlythereisnoMasterGardenersprogrambeingrunthroughtheSkamaniaCountyWSUextensionoffice.PeoplewhowanttraininggothroughtheHoodRiverCountyandClarkCountyofficesandprograms.201

Homegardeningneedsandideas

� Gardeningeducationtargetedatthedemographicofsurveyrespondentswhoindicatedaninterestinlearningtogarden:younger,lowincome,alsointerestedingainingotherfoodskills.

� Bettercoordinategardening,cooking,preserving,andnutritioneducation

� BetterutilizationofMasterGardenersforgardeneducationclassesandtrainingofadditionalMasterGardenersinthetwocountiestoaidinsupport

� Promotegardeningamongthelow‐incomepopulationbyofferingfreeorcheapclassesandindividualtechnicalassistance

� Findaneasywaytodonateproducetothefoodbank:infocusgroups,homegardenersreporthavingexcesstoshare

Communitygardeningneedsandideas

� Educatethepubliconwhatacommunitygardenisandhowitfunctions.Also,howtheycansupportcommunitygardensintheirarea

� Infrastructuresupport:volunteerstohelpsetupandmanagethegardens,pre‐andpost‐seasoncleanupefforts,etc.

� PartneringwithMasterGardenersandothersonmanagementofgardensanddevelopmentofworkshopstomaximizespaceinagardenplot,managepests,etc.

� Findmorewaystomakethegardensmorethanjustaplacewherepeoplehavesoil,tohavethembecomecommunityfocalpointsandplacesforintercultural,intergenerational,andinterfaithrelationships

� Fundingforsharedcommunitytoolsandstoragefortools

� Moreorganizedcost‐sharingeffortsforlargeseasonaltaskssuchastilling

SchoolgardensintheGorgeSomeoftheschoolsintheregionhaveschoolgardenswithvariousdegreesofactivity.TherearecurrentlynoactivegardensinSkamaniaCounty,butallotherGorgecountieshaveatleastone.Thebenefitsandeducationalopportunitiesaschoolgardencanprovidearenumerous:inadditiontothecurriculartie‐instoscience,history,art,andmore,gardenprovidekidsachancetolearnbydoing,gaininterpersonalandcooperationskills,anddeveloppatience,inadditiontopotentiallyimprovingtheirdietandfruitandvegetableintake.202

ThebriefinventorybelowprovidessomeinformationoneachschoolgardenintheGorgeareaandisfollowedbycollectedideasandneedsasreportedbyschoolstaffininterviews.

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HoodRiverCountySchoolGardenInventory,2008

School TypeofGardenHoodRiverMiddleSchool Hasawellestablishedfruitandvegetablegardenthatis

integratedintoseveralclassrooms’studies,youthcontinueworkinginthegardenthroughthesummerandsellattheGorgeGrownFarmers’Marketweekly;theyareintheprocessofstartingalargegreenhouseproject

HoodRiverValleyHighSchool Hasagarden,theyonlygrowflowersatthistime,novegetables

PineGroveElementary Thisgardengrowslettuce,peppers,tomatoes,squash,corn,sunflowers,andstrawberries.Thethirdgradeclassplantsandmaintains(untilsummer)andpicksinthefall.Limitedvolunteermaintenanceinsummertime.TheyharvestwhattheycanandserveitwithlunchinSept/Oct

Wy'eastMiddleSchool Juststartedgrowingfoodlastyear:lettuce,tomatoes,etconasmallscale.Alsogrewveggiestartstosellinthespringtimetothecommunity;hadslowsalesandmaytrydifferentplantsordifferentsalesapproachestobettersupporttheprojectandencouragekids.

WestsideElementary Twofifthgradeclassroomsplantagardeneachspringandtheirclassharvests.

CascadeLocks Thisschoolhasanaturetrailtheyareworkingon,buthavenotstartedagardenyet.Theyareplanningtointhefuture.

MayStreetElementary Doesnothaveprogramatthispoint,butisinterestedinthefuture.

MidValleyElementary Doesnothaveprogramatthispoint,butisinterestedinthefuture.

ParkdaleElementarySchool Willbeginaprogramin2008‐9,stillworkingtopreparelandanddeveloptieswithclassrooms.

WascoandShermanCountySchoolGardenInventory,2009

School TypeofGardenColonelWrightElementary Thisgardenhastwogreenhouses,raisedbedsanda

semi‐circlebedinoneofthegreenhouseswherethestudentsgrowvegetablesandflowersthroughoutthewinterandspring.Thereisalsoaleafcompostingprojectassociatedwiththegarden.ThestudentshavesoldsomeoftheproduceatTheDallesSaturdayFarmersMarketinthepast.Someofthevegetableshavebeenusedinthepreparationofschoollunches.Thegardenhasbeenintegratedintoscienceclassesattheschoolandcaneasilybeintegratedintomathandartcurriculum.

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ChenowithElementary Thegardenisplantedwithvegetablesandmaintainedfor12weeksayearbythestudents.Ithasbeenusedforscienceandartprojects.Theproduceisharvestedbythestudentsinthefallandusedintheschoolkitchen.

MosierCommunitySchoolGarden Thegardenconsistsof12raisedbedsplantedwithvegetables.Itisusedbystudentsforscienceandafterschoolprojects.Theproducehasbeenusedinthekitchenforschoollunches.Ithasthepotentialtobecomemoreofacommunitygardenrunfortheschool.

ShermanCountyElementary Haverunasmallgreenhouseoperationforthepasttwoyears,growingstartstosellaspartofafundraiserinthespring.Ithasalsobeenusedaspartofscienceprojects,thoughnothinghasbeenproducedforonsiteconsumption.StudentsalsoplantflowersfortheCityofGrassValley.

ShermanCountyHighSchool Haveagreenhousethatisnotusedforon‐siteproductionorconsumption.

Otherschoolgardensintheareainclude:TheDallesMiddleSchoolandMaupinHighSchool.

KlickitatCountySchoolGardenInventory,2009

School TypeofGardenCentervilleSchool AMasterGardenerhelpstorunthegardenwithanother

volunteer.Thegardenisprimarilyusedtoteachthestudentsgardeningskillsastheyhelpinmaintainingthevegetables,flowers,andherbs,witheachofthe5classeshavingaraisedbed.Thegardencontinuesthroughthesummerwiththehelpofthestudents,thoughdoesnotfunctionduringwinter.Theproduceisusedinschoollunches.Whilethegardenhasbeensuccessfulthusfar,itcouldbenefitfromfencingandaconsistentwatersupply.

GlenwoodGreenhouse Thegreenhousehasnotyetreachedcompletion,aftertwoyearsofwork.Theeffortiscurrentlyfromavolunteergardencoordinatorandagardencommitteeheadedbyascienceteacher.Thelong‐termvisionofthegreenhouseistousetheproduceinthelunchandafterschoolsnackprogramandtoallowcommunitymembersaccesstotheprojectaswell.Therehasbeeninterestexpressedbytheelementarywingoftheschoolforusingitintheircurricula.Fortheprojecttobesuccessfulthereneedstobeincreasedsupportfromthecommunityandmorefundingtogetthegreenhouseoperational.

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ColumbiaHighSchool,WhiteSalmon

Thegardenismanagedbythehorticultureteacherwhoservesasthegardencoordinator.Theoriginalvisionofthegardenwastoprovidealearningcontextforstudentsaboutsocialissues,environmentalscience,nutrition,communityservice,andeconomics.Thegardenisusedinavarietyofactivitiesandlabsusingthegardenasacontextforlearning,leadershipskills,andworkrelatedtoskillandsciencestandard.TheproduceisusedintheschoollunchprogramduringtheschoolyearanddonatedtoWGAPinBingeninthesummers.Thegardencoulduseadditionalhelpduringthesummerwithmaintenanceandtoprocessthefoodforthefoodbank.

WhitsonElementary,WhiteSalmon

Thelong‐termvisionofthegardenistohavethechildrenpicktheproduceandsellitatthechildren'sfarmersmarketonJewettStreet.Currentlythe1stgradersarethestudentswhotakethemostownershipinthegarden,usingittolearnhowtogrow,harvest,planplantingsandputbedstorestaftertheharvest.The4thgradehasbeensomewhatinvolvedwiththegardeneducationandthekindergartenclasshashelpedincompostingthelunchscraps.Theproduceistastetestedintheclassandsomeistakenbythechildrenandtheirparentsduringthesummer.Thegardenwouldhavefurthersuccesswithadditionalfundingandmoresupportfromtheteachers.

Otherschoolgardensintheareainclude:GoldendalePrimarySchoolandGoldendaleHighSchool.

SchoolGardensStatewideIn2007,EcotrustconductedastatewideschoolgardeninventoryanddevelopedasetofneedsandrecommendationstosupportgardensastheydevelopandgrowinOregon.Asummaryoftheprimaryneedsareasfollows:

� IncorporatingGardenActivitieswithOregonBenchmarks

� OutdoorClassroomManagement

� HowtoOrganizeGardenEvents203

Inmostschoolgardensintheregion,gardensarenotextensivelyintegratedintothemainstreamcoreschoolcurriculum,butthisisagreatopportunitytostrengthenbothgardensandpotentialcommunitypartnershipsaroundfoodharvestandpreparation,foodsecurity,hunger,andnutrition.

AstatewideresourcethatOregonschoolscouldconsiderusingistheLearningGardenprogramsofferedinPortland,throughtheOregonFoodBank.204SimilarresourcesareneededforWashingtonschools.

Schoolgardenneedsandideas� Findawaytomaintainthegardensthroughoutthesummermonthswithvolunteersand

communitygroups

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� Betterengagelocalgardenandenvironmentalexperts(MasterGardeners,DEQ,WascoCountySoilandWaterConservationDistrict)intogardenprogramsforsupportandtraining

� Collaborationamongtheschoolgardensinseekingadditionalfundingtomaintainthegardensandaddinfrastructure

� Increasethechildren’sinvolvementinplantingandmaintenanceofthegardens.Increasetheuseofthegardenintoschoolcurriculum

� Incorporatemoreoftheproducegrownintoschoollunches

� Fundraisingandorganizationalassistanceonboththetechnicalandmanagementsidesofgardenwork

Farms,Food,andFaithCommunities:BeginningLinksintheGorgeAlargelyuntapped,butpromisingpartnershipopportunityintheregionisworkingwithfaithcommunitiesonfoodandfarmissues.InotherregionsinOregon,ecumenicalorganizationsoperatenumerousfoodandfarmprojects,includinglow‐incomefarmcouponinitiatives,congregationalfarmstands,andcommunitygardens.205

TheGorgeEcumenicalMinistriesorganizationassistedwiththiscommunityfoodassessmentbydistributingsurveysandhelpingconductsurveyoutreach.SeveralGorge‐areachurcheshaveactive“FoodCommittees”thatworktobringfilmsandspeakerstotheircongregationstospeakonfood,hunger,andfarmissuesnationally.

HoodRiverCounty

FISHFoodBankinHoodRiverisheavilysupportedbylocalfaithcommunities,whichtaketurnsonamonthlyrotationstaffingthepantryandpreparingfoodboxes.Localchurchesalsospearheadseveralannualfooddrives.Additionally,theHoodRiverChurchoftheNazarenehostsapopularcommunitygarden.

ThereismuchroomforadditionaldiscussionandoutreachtofindwaysfortheHoodRiverCountyfaithcommunitytobecomeabiggerpartnerinfightinghungerandstrengtheningourlocalfoodsystem.


ThefaithcommunityhasalargerolehelpingtoruntheemergencyfoodpantrysysteminTheDalles.St.VincentdePaul,SalvationArmy,andSeventhDayAdventistareallorganizedandrunbyfaithorganizations.

St.PaulEpiscopalianChurchhasasmallcommunitygardenprogrambeingrunfromitschurchandwouldliketoexpanditseffortsbyputtingagardenplotinatthechurch(seethecommunitygardeninventoryformoredetails).206

OtherchurchesinTheDallesthatmayhaveaninterestinthefoodmovementinclude:TheDallesSeventhDayAdventistsandtheZionLutheranChurch.ZionLutheranChurchiswillingtoserveasaleaderinthefoodandfaithmovementinTheDalles,ifthereweremoreparticipationfromotherchurchesandfaithbasedorganizations.207

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InSouthWascoCounty,manyofthelocalchurchesandfaithgroupslooselyandinformallyorganizethelimitedemergencyfoodassistance.TheWamicCommunityChurch,AntelopeChurch,andTyghValleyCommunityUnitedMethodistChurchhavesmallpantriesthatprovidedemergencyfoodassistancetofamiliesinneed.ThechurchesandfaithbasedcommunityinWascoCountyalsoprovidemuchoftheorganizationfortheSeniorPotlachMeals.

TheemergencyfoodeffortsinShermanCountyarenotorganized,butsupportedbythefaithcommunity.TheSeniorPotlatchmealsareheldatMoroPresbyterianChurchandWascoCatholicChurchParishHallandsupportedbyparishionervolunteers.TheWascoMethodistChurchhousestheShermanCountyFoodBankandparishionersassistinstaffingthefoodbank.208


InKlickitatCounty,SeveralofthechurchesinWhiteSalmonhavebeeninvolvedwithemergencyfoodefforts.GraceBaptistChurchdoesseveralfooddrivesayear,donatingthefoodtoWGAPinBingen.TheSeventhDayAdventistChurchhasafoodpantrythatprovidestocommunitymembersinneedonceaweek(everyTuesday).BethelUnitedChurchofChristhasachurchgardenthatdonatesalloftheproducetoWGAPinBingenandhasayear‐roundfoodcollectionprogramthatregularlydonatesfoodtoWGAP.

TherearesomefoodandfaitheffortseeninGoldendale,aswell.TheGoldendaleUnitedMethodistChurchhousestheBackpack4Kidsprogramandasoupkitchen.ThesoupkitchenwasstartedinFebruaryof2009inconjunctionwiththeSeventhDayAdventistChurchinGoldendale,servingtwomealsadays.ByApril2009otherchurchesandcivicgroupshadjoinedintheeffortservingupanadditionalmealeachweek,bringingthetotaltothreemealsperweek.4,000mealswereservedtothecommunityin2009andeffortscontinuein2010.209

ThereisadditionaldiscussionneededtofindwaysfortheGorgefaithcommunitiestogrowintheirroleinhelpingfighthungerandstrengtheningthelocalfoodsystems.

FoodandFaithandCommunityNeedsandIdeas� Discussandexplorepartnershipopportunitieswiththefaithcommunityonfood,farm,and

hungerissues

� Buildacentralizedsupportsystemforchurchesdoingemergencyfoodoutreach,includingcoordinationoffooddonationsandinstallationofmorecommunitygardens

� PartnerchurchleadershipwithEcumenicalMinistriesofOregontrainings

� Educatethefaithcommunityonthehealthandsocietalbenefitsassociatedwithgrowinghealthyfoodforthelocalcommunities

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GorgeCommunityVoicesonHealth,Nutrition,andGardening

Belowarequotesfromlocalresidents–includingfarmers,lowincomeindividuals,healthserviceproviders,andworkingprofessionals–onhealth,nutrition,andgardeninginthe

Gorge,fromcommunitygroupdiscussions.

HoodRiverCountyo Mobilityisachallenge–Imovealotanditishardtoinvestintimeandspace,couldwehave

classesspecificallyforapartmentdwellersorpeopleonthego?

o Theftatcommunitygardensisfrustrating,Ihavetopickmanyofmyitemsveryearlysotheyaren’tstolen

o Myfamilytaughtmegardeningskills,frommygrandmadown,Iamhappytocontinuethe

tradition!

o I'dliketogardenbutIcanbarelystandandwalkletalonebend,thankyou.

o Iwouldlovetoteachandseemoresmall‐scalehomegardeningclasses–raisedbeds,squarefootgardening,etc.

o Itriedandtriedtogetagardenatmyhouse,butitjustdidn’twork,sowhenIsawthe

Nazarenecommunitygardencomein,Iwasthrilled,andmygardentherehasbeengreatthisyear!

o WhatwouldhappenifIcouldnotdependuponRosauersorProduceKountry?Itwouldbe

niceifIcouldgotothelocalfarmers’market,butIworkfrom6a.m.to6p.m.andneedtogohome.Ihavealsoheardit'sexpensive.MydaughterandIeatalotofproduce,butIdependupontheaformentionedstores.Thisyear,Iwilltrytogrowafewthings.Thatseemsbest.Iwillplantoexpandthat.

o Iknowfreshfruitsandvegetablesarebetter,buttheyaremoreexpensive.

o Morecommunitygardens!

o Iamdefinitelyinterestedinexpandingandimprovingmygardeningskillswhichcanbe

describedasrudimentaryatbest.

o IregretthatwithyoungchildrenIendupoutofnecessitybuyingthingsIfeelIwouldmakeorgrowifIhadmoretime.


� Anythingthatbenefitsyourcommunitylocally,willbenefityouinthelongrun

� Peoplehavetowanttobereached.They’regivenallkindsofpamphletsaboutfreeandreducedlunch,buttheparentshavetowantit.

� Encouraging—maybewithincentives—sharingfamily/communitygardens.Weneedfreshvegetablesandfruitsinlocalgrocerystores!

� Iaminterestedinimprovingmealsforourlocalschooldistrict,astheyarewhatIatewhenI

157

startedgoingtoschool25yearsago.Itisdeplorablethatithasn'timprovedinthatamountoftime.

� Whenshoppingatgrocerystores,itseemstheonlysavingsorcheaperfoodsareprepackaged,fattening,junkfoods.Freshorhealthytendtobenottheaffordableproducts.Maybethiscontributestotheobesecountrywehavebecome!

� Ithinkweneedtofindasmanywaysaspossibletogetmorepeoplegardening—includingmyself!

� ThankyouMealsonWheels.Itmakesmysisterveryhappy.

� Iwouldlovetoseemorefreshlocalproduceavailable—maybefortrade.Communitygardensaregreat.StartoneinDufur?

� Raisingmoreawarenessandeducationabouthomegardensandgardeninginsmallareas/containerswouldbenice.

� Thecostishigher.Itdoesn’tmatterifthey’remorenutritious.

KlickitatandSkamaniaCounty� “Foodistooexpensive.Itishardtoeathealthy,sincethefoodwithpreservativesisalot

cheaper.”

� “Thecostoffoodistoohigh‐it’sthemainreasonwehaveagarden.Iwouldliketolearnaboutpreservingfoods(canning,dehydration)andgleaning.”

� “Freshfruitsandvegetablesareimportantforhealthyliving,butabusylifestyleandabudgetcanmakethemdifficulttoobtain.”

� “Whenlivinginalargecity,weparticipatedinacommunitygardenplotarea.Ifeeleveryoneshouldhaveanopportunitytogrowwholesomefoodatlowornocost.”

� “Basedontheobesityseenlocally,healthydietsareanobviousproblem.”

� “People,Ithink,haveatendencytoleantowardsthatbecausetheyareonalimitedincome.Whenyougobuyfruitsandvegetables,theyareveryexpensiveifyoudon’thaveawaytogrowagarden.Alotofpeopledon’t.Theyliveinapartments,theydon’thavethatresource.SoIthinkpeopletendtoleantowardsunhealthyfoodbecausethat’swhattheycanaffordfortheirfamily.”

� “Webuygroceriesonlyonceamonthandmaybeaquarterofitisfreshfruitsandvegetables.Itdoesn’tlastverylongandwedon’thavemoneytogobackandgetmorefreshfruitsandvegetables.So,wecangetitonlyforashorttime.”

� “Knowledgeoftherightthingstoeatwouldhelp.There’sthefoodpyramidbutalotofpeopledon’tunderstandit.Makeitsopeopleunderstanditbetteronwhichthingsyouneedandthebestthingsforyou.”

� “Tohelpgetourcommunitygardenstarteditwouldbegreatifwecouldfindcommunitytoolsthatcanbeborrowedortakenoutshort‐termlikearototiller,thatwecanuseforthegarden.Wejustdidn’thaveaccesstotools.”

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RecommendationSummaryforChapterIV

1. Expandlocalavailabilityofcookingandnutritionclasses

a. Bettercoordinateandpublicizeexistingcookingandnutritionresources

b. Offerlow‐costoffreecookingcoursestargetedatpeoplewithlimitedtimewhowanttoeatfreshfoods

c. Increaseresourcesavailableforlow‐incomefamiliesatfoodbanks,includingrecipes,preservingequipmentanddemonstration

2. Improveandintegratefoodskills,nutrition,andself‐sufficiencyhelp

a. ExploreexpandedcoordinationandinformationsharingamongdifferentWascoand

Shermannutritioneducationprogramstobetterdeterminetheresourcesavailableinthecommunityandhowtocombineeffortsandreachmoreindividuals

b. Workwithschoolfoodservice,schoolgarden,andteachertoexplorepartneringgrowing

foodwitheatingfoodandunderstandingit’shealthbenefits

c. Improveaccesstoaffordablefruitsandvegetablesforlow‐incomeindividualsthroughfoodbanks,communitygardens,etc.

3. Expandandcoordinatelocalgardeningresourcesforhomegardeners

a. Potentiallycostshareonexpensessuchastools,storage,compost,etc.

b. WorkwithMasterGardenerstoprovidevolunteerstosupportgardeners,withanemphasisonbasicgardeningeducation,developmentoftechnicalskillworkshops,andtraining

additionalMasterGardeners

c. Providefreeorlowcostclassestolow‐incomepopulationstoincreasefoodsecurity

4. Workwithschoolgardenstocoordinateefforts,shareresources,andexpandprograms

a. Helpteachersdevelopcurriculumtoinvolvechildreninplantingandmaintenanceofthe

garden

b. Helpschoolsobtaininfrastructureandfundingtocreategardensandmaintaincurrentones

c. Improvesummertimeparticipationtomaintaingardensandengageyouthwhenschoolis

outofsession,throughthehelpofgroupslikeMasterGardeners

d. Identifyadditionalspaceandpartnershipopportunitiesforcommunitygardensintheregion

5. Coordinateemergencyfoodeffortsamongthefaithcommunity

a. Buildacentralizedsupportsystemforchurchesdoingemergencyfoodoutreach,including

coordinationoffooddonationsandinstillationofmorecommunitygardens

b. PartnerchurchleadershipwithEcumenicalMinistriesofOregontrainings

159

V.ConclusionsandSummaryofActionRecommendations

SummaryofKeyFindings

Thefindingsofthisreportindicatebothanabundanceoffoodandfarmresourcesandanabundanceoffoodandfarmneeds.Itwilltakethecommitmentofeveryone–farmers,localgovernment,residents,serviceproviders,faithcommunities,andmore–tobuildatrulysustainablelocalfoodsystemwherefarmerscankeepfarming,consumersareeducatedtomakehealthychoices,andeveryonehasenoughtoeat.Therearemanymutuallybeneficialalliancestobebuiltbetweenpeoplewhogrowfoodandthepeoplewhoeatit,andthisreportisjustthefirststep.Whatfollowsisanexecutivesummaryofkeyfindingsfromthisreportandalistofreportrecommendationsbychapter.

PleaserefertotheAppendixforacopyofthisreport’sExecutiveSummary,whichcontainsa12‐pagesummaryofreportfindings.

ActionRecommendationsareavailableattheendofeachsubjectchapter.

AppendixA:CommunityFoodSurvey

AppendixB:ProducerSurvey

AppendixC:ExecutiveSummary

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1 USDA Economic Research Service. “Calculating the Food Marketing Bill.” 2002. Accessed July 2008. http://www.ers.usda.gov/amberwaves/february04/indicators/behinddata.htm 2 WEBSITE? 3 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture 4 Hood River County Planning Department 5 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture. 6 2002 and 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture. 7 2002 USDA Farm Census. Prepared by Ken Meter. 8 2007 USDA Farm Census. 9 Oregon State University Hood River County Extension Service. “Commercial Agriculture.” Accessed July 2008. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/hoodriver/ag 10 2002 USDA Farm Census. Prepared by Ken Meter. 11 Community Food Assessment Producer Survey results. 12 Oregon Agricultural Information Network. Hood River County Report. 2007. Accessed April 2008. http://oain.oregonstate.edu/SelYearCounty.asp?ddOpt=3 13 From remarks given by OSU Hood River County Extension Agent Steve Castagnoli, October 2007. 14 “Who’s Your Farmer?” Gorge Grown Food Network, 2008. 15 Oregon Tilth. Search function accessed April 2008. http://www.tilth.org/producer-search/producers 16 Hood River County Farmer Focus Group, April 2008. 17 2007 USDA Ag Census. 18 2007 USDA Ag Census. 19 Community Food Assessment Producer Survey results. 20 2007 USDA Ag Census 21 Wasco County Producer Survey 22 Wasco County Farmer Focus Group, November 2009. 23 Hood River County Planning Department 24 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture. 25 2002 and 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture. 26 2002 USDA Farm Census. Prepared by Ken Meter. 27 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture. 28 2007 USDA Ag Census 29 Wasco County Producer Survey 30 Wasco County Farmer Focus Group, November 2009. 31 2002 USDA Farm Census. Prepared by Ken Meter. 32 2002 USDA Farm Census. Prepared by Ken Meter. 33 2002 USDA Farm Census. Prepared by Ken Meter. 34 2002 USDA Farm Census. Prepared by Ken Meter. 35 “Community Assessment - Migrant Seasonal Head Start Program 2006, Hood River & Wasco Counties.” Oregon Child Development Coalition. 2006. Available at http://www.ocdc.net/ 36 “Community Assessment - Migrant Seasonal Head Start Program 2006, Hood River & Wasco Counties.” Oregon Child Development Coalition. 2006. Available at http://www.ocdc.net/ 37 Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services. Date unknown. Accessed July 2008. http://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/PPR_FarmworkerInformationCenter.shtml#Estimates_of_Farmworkers_in_OR 38 Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services. Date unknown. Accessed November 2009. http://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/PPR_FarmworkerInformationCenter.shtml#Estimates_of_Farmworkers_in_OR 39 Agricultural Employer’s Survey, 2006, Oregon Child Development Coalition. 40 Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2002 USDA Farm Census. Prepared by Ken Meter. 41 Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2002 USDA Farm Census. Prepared by Ken Meter. 42 USDA Economic Research Service. “Calculating the Food Marketing Bill.” 2002. Accessed July 2008. http://www.ers.usda.gov/amberwaves/february04/indicators/behinddata.htm 43 USDA Economic Research Service. “Calculating the Food Marketing Bill.” 2002. Accessed July 2008. http://www.ers.usda.gov/amberwaves/february04/indicators/behinddata.htm

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44 From remarks given by OSU Hood River County Extension Agent Steve Castagnoli, October 2007. 45 Hood River County Farmer Focus Group, April 2008. 46 “Who’s Your Farmer?” Gorge Grown Food Network, 2008. 47 “Community Supported Agriculture.” USDA, 2006. Accessed April 2008. http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml 48 Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prepared by Ken Meter. 49 “Hood River County Fact Sheet.” Oregon Department of Human Services. Available at http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/aboutdhs/facts/ 50 Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force. “Supporting Healthy Communities: 2005 Oregon Food Stamp Participation at the County Level.” 2005. Available at http://www.oregonhunger.org/ 51 “Results from the 2007 Survey of Food Service Providers.” Prepared by Michelle M. Ratcliffe and Haley C. Smith, 2007. 52 Personal interview with Christi Harris, Hood River County School District. April 2008. 53 US Census. “Hood River County Quickfacts.” 2008. Accessed July 2008. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41/41027.html 54 Fridley, Dallas. “Mid-Columbia Sets Records in Employment and Unemployment.” May 1, 2008. Oregon Employment Department. http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/ArticleReader?itemid=00005919 55 “Oregon’s Report on Poverty 2006.” Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services. 2006. Accessed July 2008. http://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/DO_PovertyReport2006.shtml 56 Bureau of Economic Analysis. Date unknown. Accessed July 2008. http://www.bea.gov/regional/reis/default.cfm 57 “Oregon’s Report on Poverty 2006.” Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services. 2006. Accessed July 2008. http://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/DO_PovertyReport2006.shtml 58 “Hood River County Quickfacts.” US Census. 2008. Accessed July 2008. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41/41027.html 59 “Hood River County Quickfacts.” US Census. 2008. Accessed July 2008. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41/41027.html 60 Oregon Community and Housing Services. “Oregon’s Report on Poverty 2006.” http://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/DO_PovertyReport2006.shtml 61 “Mid-Columbia Economic Development District 2009 Monthly Labor Market Information,” Oregon Employment Department and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not seasonally adjusted. http://www.mcedd.org/workforce/labor/monthly_labor_market_information/documents/10002_Gorge909.xls 62 “Local Area Bearfacts,” Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts. 63 “Oregon Housing and Community Services Report on Poverty 2006.” 64 U.S. Census Bureau Wasco County QuickFacts. 65 U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates for Oregon Counties, 2006. 66 “Mid-Columbia Economic Development District 2009 Monthly Labor Market Information,” Oregon Employment Department and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not seasonally adjusted. http://www.mcedd.org/workforce/labor/monthly_labor_market_information/documents/10002_Gorge909.xls 67 “Oregon Housing and Community Services Report on Poverty 2006.” 68 U.S. Census Bureau Wasco County QuickFacts. 69 U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates for Oregon Counties, 2006. 70 “Oregon Housing and Community Services Report on Poverty 2006.” 71 “Klickitat County Quick facts.” U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed November 2009. http://www.census.gov/ 72 “Skamania County Quick facts.” U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed November 2009. http://www.census.gov/ 73 “Survey of Current Business.” Bureau of Economic Analysis. Accessed December 2009. http://www.bea.gov/ 74 “Klickitat and Skamania Counties Labor Area Summary.” Workforce Explorer. Accessed November 2009. http://www.worksforceexplorer.com/ 75 “Civilian Labor Force and Unemployment Rate in the State of Washington.” Workforce Explorer. Accessed December 2009. http://www.workforceexplorer.com/ 76 “Basic Family Budget Calculator.” Economic Policy Institute. Accessed December 2009. http://www.epi.org/content/budget_calculator 77 “Food CPI and Expenditures: Analysis and Forecasts of the CPI for Food,” Economic Research Service. 78 “Transportation and Food: The Importance of Access.” Community Food Security Coalition. Accessed March 2010. http://www.foodsecurity.org/policy_trans03_brief.html

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79 “Community Food Security Assessment Toolkit.” Economic Research Service United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed March 2009. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/efan02013/efan02013.pdf 80 “Community Food Security Assessment Toolkit,” Economic Research Service. 81 “USDA Community Food Survey Assessment Toolkit, Appendix C: Food Store Survey Instrument and Materials.” 82 “Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels, U.S. Average.” Center for Nutrition Policy and Program. Accessed April 2010. http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/2009/CostofFoodAug09.pdf 83 “New USDA report confirms escalating hunger crisis,” Oregon Food Bank and Oregon Hunger Task Force, November 2009. 84 “Hungry in Washington.” Children’s Alliance. Accessed October 2009. http://www.childrensalliance.org/resource-center/report-hungry-washington-2008 85 “Household Food Security in the United States, 2008.” 86 “Child Food Insecurity in the United States, 2005-2007.” 87 “Non-metropolitan Hunger and Food Security in the Northwest,” Oregon State University Extension Service. September 2007. 88 “2007 Northwest Job Gap Study,” Northwest Federation of Community Organizations and Julie Chinitz, Dennis Osorio, Jill Reese and Gerald Smith. http://www.nwfco.org/ 89 “Hood River County 2007 Needs Assessment: Community Survey.” CFM Research. October 2007. 90 “Hood River County 2007 Needs Assessment: Community Survey.” CFM Research. October 2007. 91 “New USDA report confirms escalating hunger crisis,” Oregon Food Bank and Oregon Hunger Task Force, November 2009. 92 “Hunger in America’s Classrooms: Share Our Strength’s Teachers Report.” http://www.strength.org/teachers/assets/SOS_Report_MedRes_Final.pdf 93 “Food Menus.” Hood River County School District. Accessed April 2008. http://www.hoodriver.k12.or.us/1692105141898987/site/default.asp 94 “National School Lunch Program,” USDA, Food and Nutrition Service. http://www.d214.org/assets/1/workflow_staging/Documents/561.PDF 95 “CACFP Tiering Schools with 40% to 49% Free and Reduced Eligibility 2009,” Oregon Department of Education. 96 “CACFP Tiering Schools with =50% Free and Reduced Eligibility 2009,”Oregon Department of Education. 97 “2009 Oregon Healthy Teams Survey: 8th Grade The Dalles Middle School and 11th Grade The Dalles-Wahtonka Union High School,” North Wasco County School District 21 98 “Oregon Healthy Teens 2009 – 8th and 11th Grade State Summary Report,” Oregon Department of Human Services 99 Mid-Columbia Community Action and FISH Food Bank records. 2008. 100 Personal interview with Lorinda Hoffman, FISH Food Bank. April 2008. 101 “The State of Hunger.” Oregon Food Bank. 2007-2008. Available at http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/research_and_action/ 102 Personal interview with Lorinda Hoffman, FISH Food Bank. April 2008. 103 Mid-Columbia Community Action and FISH Food Bank records. 2008. 104 Mid-Columbia Community Action and FISH Food Bank records. 2008. 105 Telephone interview with Janeal Booren, Mid-Columbia Community Action. 2008. 106 Mid-Columbia Community Action and FISH Food Bank records. 2008. 107 Personal interview with Lorinda Hoffman, FISH Food Bank. April 2008. 108 Personal interview with Jim Slusher, Mid-Columbia Community Action. February 2008. 109 Personal interview with Jim Slusher, Mid-Columbia Community Action. February 2008. 110 Telephone interview with Margie Dogotch, La Clinica del Carino. July 2008. 111 Hood River County La Clinica Focus Group. 112 “2008-2009 statistics for the Oregon Food Bank Network.” 113 “Profiles of Hunger & Poverty in Oregon: 2008 Oregon Hunger Factors Assessment,” Oregon Food Bank. 114 “2009 Quarterly Report Statistics,” Mid-Columbia Community Action Council. 115 “2009 Quarterly Report Statistics,” Mid-Columbia Community Action Council. 116 Phone conversation with Bryan Vangilder, Wasco Food Pantry Coordinator, November 2009 117 “South Wasco County Emergency Food Pantry Feasibility Study,” City of Maupin.

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118 “South Wasco County Emergency Food Pantry Feasibility Study,” City of Maupin. 119 Phone conversation with Janeal Booren, MCCAC Regional Food Bank Coordinator, December 2009. 120 Phone conversation with Bryan Vangilder, Wasco Food Pantry Volunteer, November 2009. 121 Telephone Interview with Linda Schneider, Washington Gorge Action Programs. December 2009 and April 2010. 122 “Oregon WIC Annual Report 2008,” Oregon Department of Human Services. 123 “Wasco & Sherman Counties 2008 WIC Facts,” North Central Public Health District. 124 Oregon WIC Program. Available at http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/wic/about_us.shtml#desc 125 “Oregon WIC Annual Report 2008,” Oregon Department of Human Services. 126 “WIC is a Good Investment 2008 Report.” Washington State Department of Health. Accessed December 2009. http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/WIC/reports.htm 127 Oregon WIC Program. Available at http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/wic/fc_information.shtml 128 Phone conversation with Beatriz Olivan, North Central Public Health District WIC Coordinator 129 Phone conversation with Karin Olson, Seniors and People with Disabilities, The Dalles DHS Branch 130 Telephone interview with Trish Stokes, Hood River County WIC Program. August 2008. 131 ODA Agricultural Development and Marking Division, Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program. http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/ADMD/farm_direct.shtml#List_of_participating_farm_stands_and_farmers_markets 132 “WIC and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program.” Washington State University Extension. Accessed April 2010. http://nutrition.wsu.edu/markets/ 133 Telephone Interview with Sharon Carter, Klickitat County Senior Services Director. December 2009 and April 2010. 134 Telephone Interview with Marilyn Butler, Skamania County Senior Services Director. April 2010. 135 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Oregon Department of Human Services. http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/foodstamps/foodstamps.shtml 136 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Oregon Department of Human Services. http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/foodstamps/foodstamps.shtml 137 “The Food Stamp Program in Oregon,” Oregon Center for Public Policy, 2007. http://www.ocpp.org/cgi-bin/display.cgi?page=fact070423foodst 138 “The Food Stamp Program in Oregon.” Oregon Center for Public Policy. April 23, 2007. Accessed August 2008. http://www.ocpp.org/cgi-bin/display.cgi?page=fact070423foodst 139 “Poverty and Food Assistance in Hood River County.” OSU Extension Service. November 2003. Available at http://www.extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/em/hoodriver.pdf 140 “Profiles of Hunger & Poverty in Oregon: 2008 Oregon Hunger Factors Assessment,” Oregon Food Bank 141 “Special SNAP Report: Food security and the economic crisis,” Oregon Food Bank and Oregon Hunger Task Force. 143 “Statewide Food Stamp Activity Flash Figures,” Oregon Department of Human Services, November 2009. 144 E-mail correspondence on the Oregon Farmers’ Markets Association List-Serve. September 2008. 145 Personal interview with Kyra Rudhe, Hood River Valley Adult Center. May 2008. 146 “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.” Oregon Deparmtne of Human Services. 2008. Accessed August 2008. http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/cash/tanf.shtml 147 “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.” Oregon Deparmtne of Human Services. 2008. Accessed August 2008. http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/cash/tanf.shtml 148 “Data and Reports: Hood River County” Oregon Department of Human Services. Accessed September 2008. Available at http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/assistance/data/main.shtml 149 “What is gleaning?” Oregon Food Bank. 2005. Accessed September 2008. http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/ofb_services/food_programs/gleaning/ 150 “What is gleaning?” Oregon Food Bank. 2005. Accessed September 2008. http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/ofb_services/food_programs/gleaning/ 151 Personal Interview with Pat Lucas, The Dalles Community Meals Volunteer 152 Area Agency on Aging: Senior Meal Programs, Mid-Columbia Council of Governments, http://www.mccog.com/area_meal.htm 153 Phone conversation with Ashley Tappendorf, Assistant Director of The Dalles Meals on Wheels 154 Phone conversation with Jodi Whitley, Sherman County Senior Center 155 Phone conversation with Sue Elliot, Pioneer Potlatch Association Office Manager

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156 “What is gleaning,” Oregon Food Bank. http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/ofb_services/food_programs/gleaning/ 157 Personal interview with Maryanne Schrader, Windy River Gleaners Coordinator 158 “Food, Nutrition, and Gleaning.” Washington Gorge Action Programs. Accessed December 2010. http://www.wgap.ws/ 159 Telephone interview with Joan Bird, 4-H program assistant - Sherman County. October 2009. 160 Email correspondence with Ava Van Velsor. Klickitat County WSU Extension. December 2009. 161 Email correspondence with Todd Murray. Skamania County WSU Extension. December 2009. 162 Email communication with Linda Williams, Horizons Community Educator. January 2010. 163 “2010 Annual Extension Youth Enrollment Report” and “4-H Publications and Projects.” Skamania County 4-H Extension. Accessed January 2010 through communication with Sally Mansur, 4-H Coordinator Skamania County. 164 “Inside the Pyramid.” USDA. Accessed July 2008. http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html 165 “Diet Quality and Food Consumption: Dietary Patterns, Diet Quality, and Obesity.” USDA Economic Research Service. Accessed November 2009. http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/dietquality/dietarypatterns.htm 166 “State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009.” Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed October 2009. http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/downloads/StateIndicatorReport2009.pdf 167 Telephone interview with Margie Dogotch, La Clinica del Carino. July 2008. 168 Telephone interview with Fern Wilcox, Family Food Education at Wasco County OSU Extension. October 2009. 169 Email correspondence from Jennifer Zimmerman, Mid Columbia Medical Center. October 2009. 170 “WSU Klickitat County Food $ense Program.” Received through email correspondence with Ava Van Velsor. Klickitat County WSU Extension. October 2009. 171 “MyPyramid for Kids.” USDA. Accessed July 2008. http://www.fns.usda.gov/TN/kids-pyramid.html 172 “MyPyramid for Kids.” USDA. Accessed July 2008. http://www.fns.usda.gov/TN/kids-pyramid.html 173 “My Pyramids for Kids.” USDA. Accessed November 2009. http://www.fns.usda.gov/TN/kids-pyramids.html 174“HealthyYouthSurveyFactSheets.”TheOfficeSuperintendentofPublicInstruction,TheDepartmentofHealth,TheDivisionofAlcoholandSubstanceAbuse,TheFamilyPolicyCouncil,TheDepartmentofCommunity,TradeandEconomicDevelopment,andtheLiquorControlBoard.AccessedDecember2009.http://www.askhys.net/layout.asp?page=reports/FactSheets175 Email communication with Ava Van Velsor. Board member of Back Pack for Kids Program. October 2009. 176 “School Wellness Policy.” Hood River County School District. 2006. Accessed July 2008. http://www.hoodriver.k12.or.us/16921067194319720/site/default.asp 177 “School Wellness Policy.” North Wasco County School District 21, South Wasco County School District 1, Sherman County School District. 2006. Accessed November 2009. 178 “6700 Nutrition and Physical Fitness Policy.” Centerville School District #215, Glenwood school District, Goldendale School District #404, Klickitat School District, Lyle School District #406, Mill A School District, Skamania School District #2, Stevenson-Carson School District, White Salmon School District and Wishram School District. 2005. Accessed November 2009. 179 Personal interview with Todd Dierker, La Clinica volunteer. August 2008. 180 Telephone interview with members of the Nazarene Community Garden volunteer team. August 2008. 181 La Nueva Cosecha project survey data. 2008. 182 Telephone interview with Joel Pelayo, The Next Door, Inc. / Nuestra Communidad Sana. March 2008. 183 La Nueva Cosecha project survey data. 2008. 184 Telephone interview with Randy Hager, Eastside Community Garden Coordinator. October 2009. 185 Telephone interview with Pam Miller, St. Paul Episcopal Garden Coordinator. October 2009. 186 Telephone interview with Charlotte Link, Garden Coordinator of DIG. October 2009. 187 Email correspondence from Katherine Loeck, Wy’East RC&D. October 2009. 188 Telephone Interview with Judy Davis, Garden Coordinator at Bethel Congregational Church. December 2009. 189 Telephone Interview with Timi Keene, Common Grounds Member. December 2009. 190 Phone Interview with Doug Anderson, Member of Troutlake CSA Garden. December 2009. 191 Telephone Interview with Cassie White, garden coordinator. December 2009. 192 Telephone Interview with Jan Stewart, Wishram Garden Coordinator. December 2009. 193 Email correspondence with Linda Williams, Master Gardener Volunteer. January 2010. 194 Email Correspondence with Lynea Moat, Skamania County Public Outreach Program Director. January 2010.

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195 Telephone interview with Lynn Long, Wasco County Extension. November 2009. 196 Email correspondence from Elizabeth Daniel, OSU Extension Service, November 2008. 197 “The Dirt Sheet.” Wasco County Master Gardener Association. June 2009. Accessed November 2009. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/wasco/mastergardeners/newsletters/documents/MGJune.pdf 198 Telephone Interview with Joan Bird, 4-H Program Assistant. October 2009. 199 “2010 Annual Extension Youth Enrollment Report” and “4-H Publications and Projects.” Skamania County 4-H Extension. Accessed January 2010 through communication with Sally Mansur, 4-H Coordinator Skamania County. 200 Telephone interview with Linda Williams, Horizons Community Educator. January 2010. 201 Email correspondence with Todd Murray, Skamania County WSU Extension. December 2009. 202 “Benefits of School Gardens.” University of Florida. 2008. Accessed November 2009. http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/schoolgardens/school_gardens/benefits.shtml 203 “Results from the 2007 Oregon School Garden Inventory.” Michelle Ratcliffe and Haley Smith, Ecotrust. 2007. Accessed November 2009. Available at http://www.ecotrust.org/farmtoschool/2007_School_Garden_Inventory.pdf 204 “Learning Gardens.” Oregon Food Bank. 2005. Accessed December 2009. http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/ofb_services/food_programs/learning_garden.html 205 “Interfaith Food and Farms Partnership.” Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. 2008. Accessed November 2009. http://www.emoregon.org/food_farms.php 206 Telephone interview with Pam Miller, St. Paul Episcopal Garden Coordinator. October 2009. 207 Telephone interview with Chris Kramer, Pastor at Zion Lutheran. November 2009. 208 Email correspondence from Cindy Brown, Wasco County Health Department. December 2009. 209 Email correspondence with Brian Wanless, Goldendale Horizons Support Team. January 2010.

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