The number of rural communities in Oregon classified as “food deserts” continues to grow with many people traveling between 60 and 100 miles to reach a supermarket. In a handful of these communities, an emergency food pantry is the only nearby option. Oregon has the highest rate of childhood hunger of the states.

To address this, for the past four years, RARE AmeriCorps (Resource Assistance for Rural Environments) and the Oregon Food Bank (OFB) have partnered to address food security in rural Oregon. Beginning in the first year with one placement and growing to more than five placements now, the RARE AmeriCorps members are placed across the state where they are conducting food assessments (CFAs), implementing projects such as community gardens and new food pantries and conducting FEASTs. Through these projects and resulting documents we have been able to strengthen emergency food services and identify means to eliminate root causes of hunger in rural Oregon.

A CFA is a collaborative, participatory project that takes a big picture look at a food system, including production, consumption, and distribution. CFAs tell the story of a county or region’s community food system through the experience and vision of the people who live and work in the area. Engaging the community through the assessment process produces a finished product that is not merely a report, but an organizing tool that moves community members to action. To date, RARE AmeriCorps members have developed eight CFAs with five in progress.

FEAST stands for ‘Food, Education, Agriculture Solutions Together” and was developed by OFB. FEAST is a community organizing process that allows participants to engage in an informed and facilitated discussion about food, education and agriculture in their community and begin to work toward solutions together to help build a healthier, more equitable and more resilient local food system. To date through this partnership, more than 15 FEASTS have been conducted in 22 counties. Communities that have participated in FEASTS have: formed and expanded Farm-to-School partnerships between rural school districts and local farmers; built community connectivity and formed regional action networks; created new farmers markets and community gardens; increased acceptance of WIC and Senior Farm Direct Checks and WIC Fruit and Veggie Vouchers at farmers markets and local businesses; and formed new and innovative partnerships between food donors and emergency food providers.

Other impacts of these placements are the development of seven local food guides, completion of six rural grocery survey projects, initiation of programs such as “Ranchers Feed Children” and “Feeding Homeless Teens”, Annual Food Summits, and new, thriving non-profits to continue the work.

These placements and the resulting impacts would not be possible without the partnership with OFB. OFB provides technical assistance and training to the RARE AmeriCorps members and staff throughout the year. The RARE members are placed with local organizations such as food banks, community action agencies or other nonprofits. RARE is affiliated with the University of Oregon’s Department of Planning Policy and Management and is housed in the Community Service Center.