Support Organizations
Collaboration makes us stronger.
Even if you are not a traditional purchaser, we can find ways to work together that benefit all parties involved. From starting innovative programming to offering resources and support, let’s fine a way to work together for the benefit of the local food system.
Purchasing, programming, donations
Some of the easiest ways external organizations can support us are by participating in the programming we already offer:
Purchase local food for your cafeteria, restaurant, event, program, or catering business. If any part of your organization is involved with food, consider how incorporating a small percentage of local items could be possible, or get us in touch with key decision makers to learn more about the barriers for why sourcing local isn’t possible.
Start a “Local Food For Wellness Program” at your worksite or organization. Even if you are a food pantry, prescription produce program, or non-traditional space, reach out to see how we can lean on partners to make programs affordable and accessible wherever you gather!
Make a donation to support local food purchasing from small-midsize farmers to people who need it most!
Innovative Collaboration
We know that collaborating with external agencies is the only way to be able to fully support the myriad obstacles we face in ensuring the resiliency and viability of our food system.
We love brainstorming creative ways we can work together, from integrating new programs to serve organizations fresh food, to offering resources throughout our network, to advocating for removal of barriers, to getting the word out about who we are, all partnerships add value!
If you have an idea, please reach out and let’s see how we can work together!
Photo courtesy of Keisha Scott, Emanuel Farm.
Integrating Producer Services
Some examples of how The OKC Food Hub has integrated or is working to integrate services from external agencies are:
Partnering with OSU extension to assist producers in accessing capital through a grant writing workshop once per quarter (grants are available to farmers quarterly through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry).
Working with the Oklahoma Local Agriculture Collaborative (OLAC), NRCS, FSA & other to share resources and information as it becomes available related to trainings and infrastructure funding.
Referring to Potlikker Capital to assist BIPOC producers in accessing larger loans and business planning services
Future Partners
If you have other ideas about how we can partner to create a more supportive environment for producers, please reach out. Some partners we are currently looking for are:
We would love to find a research partner from a university to collaborate around field testing of various food growing methods in various settings with our farmers
We would love to partner with area clinics/hospitals/health science centers to pilot/supply prescription produce programs
We would love to partner with a university to offer a beginning farmer mentorship/apprenticeship program to new producers
We would love to partner with an advocacy agency to continue to advocate for policies that make small-midsize producers and their supply networks more viable
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