Our strategic goals keep us driven, honest, and acutely aware of our impact. Led by our values, The Hunger Coalition will work to fulfill our vision responsibly through the credo below and ultimately improve the well-being of more families than ever. IMPACT Vision: The Hunger Coalition envisions a community where everyone has access to good food […]
The Vision
You can shape our vision. Help us make Bloom Community Food Center something that people from from all walks of life will use to more deeply address the causes and effects of hunger. Our vision currently includes a community kitchen and dining area, next gen food pantry, heated greenhouses, and expanded farm and garden. These parts of the whole […]
The Latest News
Thanks to all of the local storytellers who have helped get the word out about this exciting next chapter. Read through the following articles to see the progress of our story or visit our social media pages for updates of the process. Hunger Coalition proceeds with $6 million development — Idaho Mountain Express, May 20, […]
Donor Honor Roll
Radical change is only possible with the support of our community. Thank you to the following donors who are investing in a stronger foundation and a more food secure future for local families. We are tremendously proud of our Board of Director’s collective commitment at the $1,000,000 level. In Kind Donors Anonymous (1)Benjamin W. Worst, […]
From the Field: June
Lynea Petty, food production manager, shares Bloom Community Farm progress and how to prepare for the summer ahead. Hopefully you are enjoying a few fresh veggies from your gardens; we are! Arugula, mixed lettuce, baby turnips, radishes, baby bok choy, and green onions should all be complimenting your still sprouting asparagus right now. And if […]
COVID-19 Emergency Response Donors
Since the COVID-19 outbreak hit town and increased the need for emergency food threefold, you stepped up to ensure everyone in our community has the food they need to persevere. A million times thanks to the businesses, individuals, and groups who have donated to our emergency response. *COVID-19 Gifts given through Monday, June 15, 2020 […]
From the Field: May
Lynea Petty, food production manager, shares some tips and tricks for gardening in the mountains in May. Well it sure got hot fast! We are about two weeks ahead on our planting schedule. We still need to watch for frost, but it sure has been satisfying to harvest first arugula leaves and radishes. However, the […]
From the Field: April
Lynea Petty, food production manager, and our farm team have been hard at work to ensure The Hunger Coalition will still be able to provide harvest fresh food to local families this summer despite the COVID-19 outbreak. She shares her wisdom below to help us all cultivate a healthy harvest this year. From Lynea:It sure feels good to be […]
Social Distancing Measures
DISTANCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER If we are to see this crisis through and keep providing food for vulnerable families in Blaine County, everyone needs to do their part in staying safe, healthy, and eliminating risk for our neighbors. The Hunger Coalition is committed to taking every measure possible to flatten the curve and mitigate […]
Nutrition Rollback Opposition
The Hunger Coalition Opposes Proposed Federal Rule to Roll Back Nutrition Standards Bellevue, Idaho, March 6, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a proposed regulation that would rollback important aspects of the current school meal nutrition standards and significantly unravel the progress made under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. […]
From the Field: March
By Lynea Petty, food production manager We are itching to begin plant starts this month! Here is what we will do each week, and remember to start about 15-20% more seed than you want. Reminder – all of the seeds this month will be seeded in soil (trays, pots, etc.) and live in a heated greenhouse. […]
Big News: Bloom to Flower in 2021
In November 2019, The Hunger Coalition purchased a property where together, we will build a bold, new solution to hunger. We’re moving across the street from our current headquarters into a 13,000 sf building on four acres; a place where someday people from all walks of life can engage in a fresh approach to food […]
From the Field: February
The holidays are past, but I feel similar anticipation as we await spring and make wish lists of plants we’d like to grow. This month, we ordered seeds for both the Bloom Farm and the Hope Garden. We mostly order from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and the occasional item from Idaho-based Snake River Cooperative. We will […]
Empty Bowls Full Again
What an enjoya-bowl afternoon — thanks to everyone who turned out to this year’s Empty Bowls luncheon and helped raise a record $8,710! There’s just nothing sweeter than the coming together of good food, good art, and good people on behalf of a good cause. Thank you to all of the volunteers, attendees, and to Boulder Mountain Clayworks and Presbyterian […]
2020 Goals
The Hunger Coalition’s 2020 Annual Goals Access Provide Food Access to 18% of the Blaine County population or 4,000 people, ensuring everyone has access to the healthy food they deserve. Work with partners and schools to provide 25 safe, stigma-free access points of healthy food through our Children’s Food Programs. Ensure 100% of parents who […]
Empty Bowls 2020
We hope to see you at the 10th annual Empty Bowls event to enjoy great food and great art on behalf of The Hunger Coalition. Purchase a handmade ceramic bowl for $20 (or $10 for children 10 and under) and fill it with generous helpings of soup, chili, salad, bread, and dessert made by local […]
World Premiere: The Power of Good Food
Watch the world premiere of the video below and make a gift to join Jeff, Vicki, and Tania as they lead us into the future of food security. If you give today, your gift will be doubled by the Heart of Gold – SPUR Community Foundation! 1 in 3 local people struggle to afford good […]
Sneak Preview: Jeff’s Story
Good food provides security, even in total chaos. Harness the power of good food to ensure Jeff and thousands of local people don’t have to worry whether they’ll eat tomorrow with a gift. Click here to give and your gift will be doubled by the Heart of Gold – SPUR Community Foundation Challenge Grant.
Farm Potluck
The great Bekka Mongeau captured the festivities at our potluck party last month. Thank you Bekka and to everyone who turned out to celebrate our progress and look to the road ahead.
Take a Stand
A letter to the editor prepared by The Hunger Coalition & The Alliance of Idaho We are standing up for fundamental American principles of fairness and justice in support of our immigrant and refugee friends, neighbors, and co-workers. The United States is a nation of immigrants, both voluntary and involuntary, and recognizing this fact, we […]
March Newsletter
We each have our own fingerprint in the kitchen.Some of us throw ingredients together with abandon while others measure everything down to the quarter teaspoon. No one’s favorite meal is exactly the same and each cook excels in something different. When we come together to make a meal however, we learn to honor our differences in […]
2019 Goals
Big goals are our North Star. Goals help turn our wildest dreams into action to ensure we have a lasting impact on our community. Check out our goals and accomplishments for 2019! Access Increase Food Access to 20% of the Blaine County population or 4,000 people, ensuring everyone has access to the healthy food they deserve. (FINAL: 4,044 people) Work with partners […]
Empty Bowls Full Again
What an incredi-bowl success! 300 people turned out to Empty Bowls and raised $6,670 to start 2019 on the right foot – one that’s moving toward food justice in Blaine County. Thank you to all of the volunteers, attendees, and to Boulder Mountain Clayworks and Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood, as well as the following restaurants and chefs for making such a lovely afternoon […]
Empty Bowls
Join us for the 9th Annual Empty Bowls Event on Sunday, January 20th. Boulder Mountain Clayworks, The Hunger Coalition, and the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood are hosting the 9th Annual Empty Bowls event on Sunday, January 20 from 12 noon – 2 pm at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood. During this […]
Top 10 Ways You Made a Difference in 2018
2018 was a pivotal year in the food justice movement. We’re thrilled to present the top 10 ways you helped move our community toward a healthier, happier tomorrow. None of this work, these happy stories, or encouraging stats would be possible without the generosity of our donors. You answered our year-end matching gift challenge to the […]
THE HUNGER COALITION CELEBRATES SNAP RESCUE
ISSUED: December 17, 2018 At The Hunger Coalition, our mission is to build a healthy community through access to good food and address the root causes of food insecurity in collaboration with key partners. In support of our mission and on behalf of the community we serve, The Hunger Coalition strongly opposed the steep budget […]
Rebekah’s Story
When we first heard about Bloom, we were excited to try it out. Bloom Truck has a fun learning activity in addition to food and books every week and my kids just love that. What I love most about the program is The Hunger Coalition grows all the vegetables they can locally and they don’t […]
Teo’s Story
Teo’s story is of roots, of rock, and of resilience. This tale of courage and determination against all odds will renew your faith in humanity and make you wanna hold your loved ones a little closer. With the help of good food and the places where good food grows, Teo faced the impossible. Watch […]
Authentic Voices Project : Mitch Darrah
Assistant @ The Oasis in Bellevue End of Life Caregiver Dog Dad to Pickle and Gabe I moved up here when I was six years old from Boise to Picabo. It’s a beautiful little place. My father was the manager over at the old granary before it burned and my mother was the maid at […]
Statement on Proposed Public Charge Rules
The mission of The Hunger Coalition is to build a healthy community through access to good food and address the root causes of food insecurity in collaboration with key partners. The Hunger Coalition is very concerned that the Trump Administration has proposed substantial changes to longstanding “public charge” rules which would be harmful to many […]
November Newsletter 2018
In a community as close in proximity as we are in spirit, we share a commitment to look out for one another. This sense of community shared by the people of Blaine County is especially important when the going gets tough. Because of challenges like the high cost of living in our resort community and a […]
Women’s Group
Starting Wednesday, November 13 Women’s Group is all new! New hours! New location! New activities! Join this fun group of ladies from all walks of life to paint, cook, knit, and whatever else strikes their fancy this winter 🍲✨👩🏾🎨 Thank you, Flourish Foundation for sharing your space to make this program possible. Empezando mañana ¡Grupo de mujeres […]
The Community Food Assessment
In 2015, we conducted a thorough investigation of food in Blaine County. Learn more in the following report:
Your Voice is Important
Your Voice Matters!!! The mid-term elections are on November 6th. Many local and state elections will be on the ballot. This is your right as a citizen to get involved and VOTE! If you haven’t registered, you can register on November 6th using an Idaho ID and proof of physical residency. LET’S RALLY AND VOTE […]
October Newsletter 2018
Sometimes you’ve got to turn your world on its head to see what’s underneath. Our staff felt a bit disoriented in the days following Dr. Robin DiAngelo’s presentations. As a racial justice trainer, she challenged our understanding of our institutions and explained how we play to them. It wasn’t particularly uplifting, nor was it meant to be. Instead, […]
Scenes from the Garden Party
In September, we celebrated the amazing members of our Good Food Community. Volunteers, donors, and participants came together over good food, drinks, games, and tours between the beautiful rows of The Hope Garden. Oh what a night! Extra special thanks to the following folks for making the party extra special: Sound System by Andy Ferguson […]
Garden Appreciation Party!
Join us Tuesday for a fun night at The Hope Garden! You are instrumental to the local food justice movement. Please join us so we can tip our hat to you for all that you do to ensure everyone in our community has access to good food. Enjoy snacks, drinks (FREE BEER thanks to Sawtooth […]
August Newsletter
You can’t throw food at hunger and expect poverty to disappear. The Hunger Coalition has re-imagined the solution to food insecurity to reach further than the traditional food assistance model – one where a box of macaroni is expected to cure complex societal ills. One glaring ill is the injustice faced by communities of color. Racism still warps our institutions […]
July Newsletter 2018
What does food mean to you? For all of us, food means survival and for many, great joy. It’s essential to good health and connects us as people. It’s beautiful in its simplicity and yet, the issues surrounding food are maddeningly complex. The underlying causes of hunger go beyond an absence of food. Hunger prevails because of […]
Robin DiAngelo, PhD September 12 & 13
A coalition of local nonprofits is pleased to present… An extraordinary opportunity for our community to come together and talk about racism as it relates to each of us and the role we might play in the problem. A coalition of local organizations and schools in Blaine County have come together to bring you an […]
Aaron’s Story
There’s not always a clear line between those who help and those who need help. Aaron is involved with The Hunger Coalition for several reasons. He’s made a life commitment to giving back. He’s strengthening his resume. He loves to cook. He loves to garden. And from time to time, he needs some help. In […]
Maryanna’s Story
Maryanna is proud of Bloom Community Farm. “When we first started, this was all weeds and dirt,” she grins. As she talks, the sweeping rows of cabbage, kale, carrots, beets, onions, tomatoes, and peppers illustrate how much she’s growing. Prior to her Bloom Youth Project internship, Maryanna’s family was featured in our Food for Thought […]
June Newsletter
Change is an essential part of life. It makes way for growth and challenges us to adapt. It is as beautiful as the seasons and as important as human rights victories. The process can be uncomfortable at times but nevertheless, we change in order to move forward. The Hunger Coalition’s transformation began with a radical new solution to hunger and […]
May Newsletter
Community voices can only drive change if someone is listening. We’ve made a special point to pause and listen this year and what we’ve heard has shaped our world. We are listening closely and sharing resources so participants can build the community they envision. Not only have folks who access food helped shape our message, advocacy work, and programs, but have begun to […]