THE FOOD DIGNITY PROJECT

FD CREATED TWO NEW LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKETS FOR A NETWORK OF PA FARMERS AND GROWERS. THE MARKETS ARE TAKE WHAT YOU NEED PAY WHAT YOU CAN PRODUCE STANDS AND DISTRIBUTION OF LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO THEIR CLIENTS SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH, HOUSING, CAREER FAIRS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECOVERY, AND OTHER CRITICAL SERVICES. FD INVESTED 124,813 INTO THE PALOCAL AGRICULTURE ECONOMY AND FOOD SYSTEM. FD PREVENTED CROP LOSS BY PURCHASING PRODUCE GROWN IN EXCESS OF MARKET DEMAND AND PAYING A FAIR PRICE TO ENSURE THE PA FARMER HAD A SUCCESSFUL SEASON. OUTCOME EXAMPLESA FAMALE FARMER WHO WAS FACING A SHUT DOWN IN 2023 STAYED OPENED AND RETAINED ALL OF HER STAFF BECAUSE THEY COULD RELY ON OUR PURCHASES AS AN OUTLET FOR THEIR PRODUCE. A FIRST GENERATION FARMER INVESTED IN NUT AND FRUIT TREES AFTER THEIR FIRST YEAR, BECAUSE OF THERE CONFIDENCE IN FDS SUPPORT OF THEIR FARM. A 5TH GENERATION FARMER KEPT THEIR FARM STAND OPEN YEAR ROUND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 60 YEARS DUE TO OUR INVESTMENT, SERVING AS AN OUTLET FOR MANY SMALL GROWERS IN THE AREA.

FOOD DIGNITY PARTNERED WITH 15 NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS. THE COMMUNITY PROVIDERS REPORTED AN INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION RATES AT JOB FAIRS, MEDICAL VISITS, COUNSELING VISITS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS. WE SERVED 162,412 POUNDS OF LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCE, BEEF, PORK, CHICKENS, AND EGGS. OUR TAKE WHAT YOU NEED, PAY WHAT YOU CAN FARM STANDS REACHED OVER 5,500 INDIVIDUALS THOUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY FROM AUGUST - DECEMBER OF 2023. OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS REPORT AN INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION. EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY PARTNER OUTCOMES INCLUDE SERVES OVER 100 PATIENTS ON THE DAYS WE PROVIDE FOOD COMPARED TO 60 ON THE OTHER DAYS. WILLOW FOUNDATION ANTICIPATED SERVICING 12K FULLY COOKED MEALS A YEAR, AND INSTEAD SERVED AVERAGE 20K IN 2023. THIS IS A 60 INCREASE IN CENTER UTILIZATION FOR MEALS. NEW ROOTS SAW A 100 INCREASE IN NUTRITION-BASED SERVICES.