Skagit Valley Food Co-op Donates $10k to Fight Local Hunger
This announcement would not be possible without the amazing generosity of the Co-op’s member-owners. At the outset of COVID-19, we heard the same question from several of our member-owners: “How can we help?” In response, we made it even easier for Co-op member-owners to donate their annual patronage refunds (dividends) to Community Action’s Skagit Food Distribution Center. We were able to donate over $10,000 to support the Distribution Center’s ongoing work to feed the hungry in our community!
The Skagit Food Distribution Center (SFDC) is the centralized distribution center for all of the food banks in Skagit County. Each year, SFDC works tirelessly to provide 1.5 million pounds of food to fifteen local food banks and four hot meal programs that serve 45,000 Skagit County residents. Beyond its role as the distribution hub, SFDC also works to serve vulnerable populations by coordinating healthy food delivery to homebound seniors and weekend lunches for school children.
SFDC buys produce whose high demand is rarely matched by donation, including beets, cabbage, carrots, green beans, tomatillos, chilacayotes, etc,. The Food Distribution Center also makes opportunity purchases: when a farm has a buyer for produce, but the deal falls through, SFDC steps in as a buyer so farmers can cover their costs, while still allowing SFDC to obtain top quality produce at a discount for distribution. Because produce’s shelf life is much shorter than shelf-stable products, SFDC must store and deliver this produce quickly to ensure freshness. It is a joy to know that not only will our donation help relieve hunger, it will help provide food that is healthy and fresh while supporting local farmers.
Community Conversation about Local Food Resiliency
For those who are interested in learning more about the Skagit Food Distribution Center and local food resiliency, the Skagit Valley Food Co-op’s Member & Community Engagement Committee will be hosting a Community Conversation via Zoom on Thursday, October 22 at 12pm. Join Co-op members and neighbors in a conversation about food insecurity and food system development in these times of change. Attendees will hear from Cole Bitzenburg, the Food Manager of the Skagit Food Distribution Center about how they are serving our community and ways that people can help. Co-op General Manager, Tony White, will then share highlights about what the Co-op is doing now. Participants will be invited to share ideas about how to make our community more food resilient and how the Co-op can be a part of that.
About Skagit Valley Food Co-op:
The Skagit Valley Food Co-op is a community-owned organic and natural food grocer that has served Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1973. Also community-owned, C-SQUARE and Third Street Cafe are an extension of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op. The Co-op’s family of not-for-profit businesses is dedicated to bringing great local and organic foods to the community while pursuing cooperative values.
About Skagit Community Foundation:
In 1991, a small group of civic leaders in Anacortes envisioned a community foundation that could meet their hopes and dreams for a performing arts center. A concert fundraiser featuring Burl Ives and friends created the funds to establish the first endowment for a performing arts center that would become McIntyre Hall. Donors also established endowments for libraries, parks, museums, scholarships and their favorite nonprofit organizations. Today, the Skagit Community Foundation is entrusted with over 40 component funds. It exists to fulfill the desires of donors to take care of the people and place where they live.