FOOD MATTERS! Improving health with fresh produce. You make it possible for families to change their diet, habits with fruits and vegetables FALL 2016

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1 FOOD MATTERS! FALL 2016 Improving health with fresh produce Healthcare providers are working to help patients facing food insecurity. You make it possible for families to change their diet, habits with fruits and vegetables About a dozen people are lined up outside OHSU s Richmond Clinic in Southeast Portland. Nearby, OHSU and Oregon Food Bank employees along with volunteers fill tables with fresh vegetables and fruits. At 4 p.m. the first person in line eagerly steps forward to choose from a bounty of lettuce, zucchini, apples and much more. This summer, Oregon Food Bank partnered with OHSU Richmond Clinic for the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Partnerships for Health. The program offered 18 weeks of subsidized boxes of locally grown produce. Everyone involved in the program had screened positive for food insecurity. The fruits and vegetables they received were grown on Oregon Food Bank s community farm with the help of volunteers and Grow Portland. We re building on the work of a pilot program at Multnomah County s Mid-County Medical Center, says Dr. Brian Frank of OHSU Family Medicine at Richmond. We hope to show that simple interventions can change eating habits. Partners in the project are conducting an in-depth evaluation to discover if there is a medical benefit to prescribe healthy foods to patients in need. In addition to the CSA, patients received access to cooking classes and food education. Your support of Oregon Food Bank allows us to be part of these community solutions to hunger.

2 Building a case against hunger Oregon lawyers band together to raise funds, awareness of food insecurity Friendly competition among law firms helps drive donations for Oregon Food Bank. For twenty years, an all-volunteer group of attorneys has worked tirelessly and without fanfare to help Oregon Food Bank. Since 1977, Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger (OLAH) has raised more than $2.1 million through their annual Lawyers vs. Hunger Fund Drive. A friendly, competitive spirit pervades the campaign as law firms large and small compete for the highly coveted Silver Barrel (most dollars raised), Golden Can (most dollars raised per capita) and Bronze Box (highest participation) awards. OLAH members leverage their professional networks in addition to reaching out to every law firm and legal entity in Portland. A statewide direct mail effort to Oregon Bar Association members also helps spread awareness and generate funds. Last year, OLAH s annual campaign went online with the help of Oregon Food Bank s virtual fundraising tool and raised more money than the previous year. Create your group s virtual fund drive by visiting oregonfoodbank.org/vfd. You can spread hope this holiday season For many people, holiday traditions include good food, family gatherings and helping others. Honor friends, business associates and people you care about by sending an Oregon Food Bank holiday card. A suggested donation of $10 per card will provide enough food to feed a family of four for three to five days. By purchasing cards, you will bring hope and help to people in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Last year s cards sold out in record time. Order yours today by visiting oregonfoodbank.org/ holidaycards.

3 former Marine, struggled after returning from Iraq. He felt lost, depressed and couldn t get his feet under him. Looking for somewhere to put his focus, Dewey began gardening. The more I put my hands in the soil, the happier I felt, says Dewey. The garden has helped heal some of the combat wounds that can t be seen. My soul felt like a jigsaw puzzle thrown all over the place. And as I m getting into gardening, it feels like that puzzle s being put back together. Dewey teaches others the lifechanging powers of gardening. From combat veteran to master gardener Seed to Supper teacher says gardening saved his life It all started with a packet of flower seeds, says Dewey Morris. They were four o clocks and I was fascinated by how they opened up in the afternoon sun. Dewey, a As a Seed to Supper volunteer in Klamath County, Dewey hopes to inspire the people around him. It really makes them happy when they put a seed in the ground and take care of it that s the most rewarding part. Dewey also works with several community gardens and hopes to one day create a healing garden for veterans. You can listen to Dewey s story by visiting oregonfoodbank.org/poweroffood. Annual report highlights accomplishments Oregon Food Bank s annual report summarizes the most significant impacts of the past year. Your commitment to the work we do gave hope to thousands of people who struggle to make ends meet. The Fresh Alliance program doubled in size with the addition of Safeway stores. The community farm had a successful first harvest and shows a promising future. Years of persistent advocacy work paid off with an increase for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in the 2016 federal budget. See our complete report at oregonfoodbank.org/ annualreport. Thank you! Annual Report

4 Thousands of pounds of pears are distributed to food pantries statewide. Oregon pear growers help spread the bounty Agricultural partnerships ensure fresh produce is available to everyone The changing of the leaves and the crisp evening air signal the coming of fall. For Oregon Food Bank, it means an abundance of one of Oregon s prime crops (and our state fruit) pears. The state produced 228,000 tons of the fruit last year. A nutrient rich, tasty staple, pears are exactly what families on a tight budget need. Thanks to the efforts of Northwest pear growers, the amount of donated product has been steadily on the rise. Oregon Food Bank is working with growers to collect the imperfect fruit (too big, too small, or misshapen) that would not normally make it to the grocery store. Here is how it works: growers and packers are loaned empty field bins, which are filled, then picked up by Oregon Food Bank trucks. With proper storage, pears are available at food banks from August through as late as April. Donating produce is a practical solution for growers. Oregon Food Bank works with orchards large and small to help create a cost neutral transaction. Additionally, growers are encouraged to make use of Oregon s state tax credit and the recently enhanced federal tax deduction. For more information gotfood@oregonfoodbank. org or call (971) Oregon Food Bank launches new website Along with unveiling a new look and feel in September, Oregon Food Bank also gave its website a makeover. The site now boasts a simpler interface, streamlined content and is mobile responsive, an important feature because of the increased reliance on smart phones and tablets. Finding help is also easier. The food finder utilizes Google maps to help people identify the closest agencies and services. Additional features will be rolled out over time, but you will already find a regular guest post by Oregonian columnist David Sarasohn. Your commitment to Oregon Food Bank made the new website a reality. With assistance from Feeding America, we were able to create a dynamic site for a low cost. Check out the improvements by visiting oregonfoodbank.org.

5 Feeding the Human Spirit at Oregon Harvest Dinner Stormy weather didn't deter people from attending Oregon Harvest Dinner on October 15 in Oregon Food Bank's warehouse. More than $670,000 was raised to support hunger relief. By coming together we can feed the human spirit and end hunger, said Susannah Morgan, CEO of Oregon Food Bank. I was delighted to hear from so many people about their desire to make sure no one is hungry. Generous sponsors included Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, Mike and Libby Crawford, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Hampton Affiliates, Northwest Farm Credit Services and Safeway Albertsons. Hunger Heroes honored for dedication to helping others Every year thousands of people contribute their time, talents, financial resources and heart to Oregon Food Bank. The Hunger Hero Awards recognize a few of these individuals and businesses for their commitment to eliminating hunger. This year's awards were sponsored by Mike and Libby Crawford and award winners were honored at Oregon Harvest Dinner. For more information, watch the short video at oregonfoodbank.org/hungerheroes. Celebrating Hunger Heroes is a highlight of Oregon Harvest Dinner. Donor of the Year: Oregon Lawyers Against Hunger (OLAH) For their humble and relentless commitment to raise funds for Oregon Food Bank and support the mission. Food Donor of the Year: Pacific Foods For their significant and ongoing donations of healthy food to ensure everyone has access to good nutrition. Jackie Fearing Volunteer Award: Peter Stoll For his boundless energy, dedication and compassion in helping others who struggle with hunger. Leadership Award: Polehn Farms For taking action to ensure people living in the Columbia Gorge have enough to eat. Jerry Tippins Advocacy Award: Patti Whitney-Wise For her tenacious efforts to fight the root causes of hunger by promoting food programs and working on policies to provide pathways out of poverty.

6 Thank you to our corporate partners for your generous support! Genentech Foundation contributed $20,000 for the purchase and distribution of bulk food for repackaging. Their contribution will help feed families and individuals in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Thank you Ikea and its customers who raised over $16,000 through their Feeding the Future partnership that will continue to improve the lives of neighbors struggling with hunger. A donation of $15,000 from Princeton Property Management will help community members at risk for food insecurity. Ameriprise Financial generously donated $15,000 to provide families and individuals fresh fruit and vegetables through our Harvest Share Program. And thank you to the following: McGriff, Seibels & Williams of Oregon H.D. Smith Foundation Whitaker Ellis Feeding America, thanks to The Walt Disney Company and General Mills Foundation/ General Mills Inc. Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust Wheeler Foundation Harbourton Foundation Juan Young Trust Feeding America, thanks to the Walmart Foundation Feeding America, thanks to the Produce Enterprise Strategy Committee Feeding America, thanks to the Red Nose Day Fund M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust The Clark Foundation Market of Choice Clackamas County Health, Housing & Human Services Oregon Food Bank Network of Regional Food Banks Operated by Oregon Food Bank Metro Services, PORTLAND Southeast Oregon Services, ONTARIO Tillamook County Services, TILLAMOOK Washington County Services, BEAVERTON Interim Regional Food Bank serving Hood River, Sherman and Wasco Counties, THE DALLES Regional Food Banks ACCESS Food Share, MEDFORD CAPECO Food Share, PENDLETON CCA Regional Food Bank, ASTORIA Clark County Food Bank, VANCOUVER, WA Columbia Pacific Food Bank, ST. HELENS Community Connection, LA GRANDE FOOD for Lane County, EUGENE Food Share of Lincoln County, NEWPORT Josephine County Food Bank, GRANTS PASS Klamath/Lake Counties Food Bank, KLAMATH FALLS Linn-Benton Food Share, CORVALLIS Marion-Polk Food Share, SALEM NeighborImpact, REDMOND South Coast Food Share, COOS BAY UCAN Food Bank, ROSEBURG YCAP Regional Food Bank, MCMINNVILLE Follow us online: Get the latest news about programs, partnerships, awards and activities from our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds plus, visit our website. Oregon Food Bank is a certified affiliate of Feeding America. oregonfoodbank.org (503)