Dear Friends,
There are people behind everything awesome about our community. Whether it’s a friendly face at the lift, behind the ticket counter, or serving up your favorite fare, everything we love about Blaine County is powered by the people.
And yet, these faces of our community are working several jobs, burning the midnight oil, and still coming up short at check-out. These are our friends and neighbors, our first-responders and trail crews, the neighborhood barista and your son’s science teacher. You, me, us.
If we can’t make life livable for these familiar faces, then our community will grind to a halt. Last year, we fed 1 in 5 people and our food access programs continue to see high numbers.
We are committed to providing a warm environment for everyone who walks through our doors, but it’s getting harder to do so. There are bottlenecks in our small grocery aisle, a line out the door, and people sitting shoulder to shoulder in the waiting area of the food pantry.
Food systems analyst Ken Meter reported that, “one of the major challenges the Wood River Valley region faces today is the tremendous inequality of income and wealth.”Join us on Thursday at Ken’s presentations to learn more about the state of our food system and how we can ensure everyone eats well despite these challenges.
I’m optimistic that we can improve our community and invite you to join the movement.
In Gratitude,
Jeanne Liston, executive director
*photo by Jay Graham
To read the full May Newsletter, please click here.
This Thursday, join a mighty team of community food partners for a discussion of a new Community Food System Strategic Plan for the Wood River Valley region.
Food system analyst Ken Meter of Crossroads Resource Center conducted more than 60 interviews of food system leaders and analyzed regional economic data to come up with key action steps for our community. The Strategic Plan is already leading to more unified action and new collaborations including a Wholesale Producer Partnership. Click here for the lineup of presentations and RSVP here.
Idaho Gives donors got us to the land of food justice
We are thrilled and humbled to report that you raised a historic $31,445 for Idaho Gives to move Bloom Truck through farms and gardens, past communal feasts and cooking classes to the land of food justice, where everyone can fulfill their right to good food.
Big thanks to all of the adventurers who gave to ensure matching funds were met and provided twice as much food, twice as much joy, and double the progress in the food justice movement. Forward ho!