FRESHFARM

JOIN OUR TEAM! ?? Every day is a good day to contribute to a stronger local food system! We’re currently seeking for the FRESHFARM team: ? Pop Up Food Hub (PUFH) Logistics and Operations Senior Manager ? Market Staff and Operators ? Substitute Market Staff ? Food Access Translators Farsi and/or Vietnamese Are you ready to apply? Learn about these positions and more: https://heyor.ca/FlIFCw #FRESHFARM . . . . #freshfarmdc #hiring #dmvjobs #dcjobs #foodsystemjobs #coolfoodjobs #goodfoodjobs #foodjobs #jobs #hiring #nowhiring #joinourteam #teamwork #dowhatyoulove #cooljobalert

Many voices across the city, one powerful message: FoodPrints is valued and effective. ???? From sparking curiosity in the kitchen and garden to strengthening school communities, FRESHFARM FoodPrints shapes students’ appreciation for nutritious food, engagement in academic learning, and excitement about trying and eating new foods. Parents and teachers see the positive impacts at home and in the classroom. ?? Last month, more than 60 parents, teachers, administrators, and students wrote to Mayor Bowser and other Washington, DC leaders to advocate for maintaining support in the District budget for this essential program. FRESHFARM combines an investment in the city budget with our own fundraising to embed FoodPrints in 21 Washington, DC public school communities. ?? “FoodPrints is…essential for creating equitable opportunities for all students." – Teacher, John Francis Education Campus We are grateful to all who raised their voices in support. ?? Read more powerful testimonials: https://heyor.ca/vhH8l1 #FRESHFARM #foodprints . . . #growcookeatlearn #dcschools #handsonlearning #advocateforeducation #EquitableOpportunities #EducationAdvocacy #FutureOfEducation #HandsOnEducation

? FRESHFARM is thrilled to welcome the talented Beth Gunston to the Development team. Beth brings over two decades of experience in resourcing organizations advancing social justice and environmental protections. "As a social justice advocate, environmentalist, and food lover, I’m thrilled to join FRESHFARM and be part of a team that is transforming the way communities connect with fresh, local food. I look forward to supporting farmers, strengthening food access, advancing joyful food education, and helping to build a more just and resilient food system.” #FRESHFARM . . . . #SocialJustice #EnvironmentalProtection #FoodAccess #LocalFood #CommunityConnection #FoodSystem #nonprofit #nonprofitnews #FoodSystemChampions

After five years of extraordinary leadership, FRESHFARM Executive Director Hugo Mogollon has moved on to a new opportunity helming the Galápagos Conservancy. In a parting blog post, Hugo describes what he learned working at FRESHFARM, what inspired him, what surprised him, and the opportunities that lie ahead. "FRESHFARM began nearly three decades ago with the seed of an idea that has grown into an incredibly fruitful organization. I am so proud of being part of this story," Hugo writes. "We have transformed the Mid-Atlantic food system and emerged as a national leader in the food space. I am proud to leave FRESHFARM in a stronger position than when I joined. We have built a solid foundation with a clear strategic plan, robust internal systems, and financial stability." ?? Head to the link in the bio to read his complete remarks! Thank you, Hugo, for your leadership and all you've done to build a more equitable and resilient food future in the Mid-Atlantic region! The Galápagos Conservancy is lucky to have you. #FRESHFARM Galápagos Conservancy . . . . #LeadershipTransition #FoodSystem #MidAtlantic #EquitableFuture #ResilientFood #SustainableAgriculture #FoodInnovation #NonProfitLeadership

?? "We started in 2009 at one public school, working with 200 students in an empty science classroom. Seventeen years later, we are in more than 25% of DC public elementary schools, working with 8,000 students," shares departing Education Director, Jennifer Mampara. ? What began as a seed of an idea about how to bring academically aligned hands-on food and gardening education to District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) has grown into a citywide movement embraced by students, parents, teachers, and city leaders. In a powerful reflection, Jenn Mampara looks back on 17 years of leading FoodPrints, sharing how a small program with a vision to connect kids to fresh, local food grew into a model for food education nationwide. ?? From makeshift classrooms to fully equipped teaching kitchens and fruitful school gardens, this journey shows how transformative change happens—one lesson, one meal, and one student at a time. ?? Read her story and celebrate how far FoodPrints has come: https://heyor.ca/8JvGIA #FRESHFARM #foodprints . . . #foodeducation #dcschools #communityengagement #youngchefs #localfoods #programimpact #dmv

Have you gone to the grocery store to pick up eggs only to find the prices have skyrocketed or that the egg case is picked clean? The reason for this, as outlined in this The New York Times story, is a severe bird flu outbreak which is straining the egg supply and pushing up prices. FRESHFARM has a solution. Shorten your food chain and shop at the farmer’s market. Traditional grocery stores rely on huge monocropping farms and long supply chains and sells food that has traveled hundreds or sometimes thousands of miles and is handled by dozens or more people. Long supply chains are vulnerable to the global challenges we saw during the pandemic as well as diseases like bird flu and natural disasters. A shorter food chain is safer and better able to respond to shocks and disruptions. Plus, when you shop local, you are investing in a stronger local food system. Right now, FRESHFARM has 20 farmers with eggs in our network and 11 markets open this winter. So grab your reuseable bags and hit up the farmers market for your eggs (and more). https://lnkd.in/gSH8FddN

JOIN OUR TEAM! ?? Every day is a good day to contribute to a stronger food system! We’re currently seeking for the FRESHFARM team: ? Food Access Program Coordinator Are you ready to apply? Head to our website to learn about this position and more: https://heyor.ca/FlIFCw #FRESHFARM . . . . #freshfarmdc #hiring #dmvjobs #dcjobs #foodsystemjobs #coolfoodjobs #goodfoodjobs #foodjobs #jobs #hiring #nowhiring #joinourteam #teamwork #dowhatyoulove #cooljobalert

?? FRESHFARM is proud to announce the first-ever Local Food Champion Awards, recognizing the extraordinary farmers, partners, non-profits, and restaurants that helped make 2024 a banner year for the Pop-Up Food Hub (PUFH). ?? The PUFH is FRESHFARM’s pioneering initiative bringing local produce from small and mid-sized farmers to community organizations like medical clinics, senior centers, and schools in under-resourced communities. This pop-up model not only improves food access for those most in need but it also helps the FRESHFARM network of farmers to grow their businesses while nourishing our community. ?? 2024 was a record-breaking year for the program, generating more than $1.1 million in revenue for small and mid-sized farmers—a dramatic 80% increase from $613,000 the year prior. Over 400,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown produce were distributed to more than 90 community partners, including nonprofits, schools, and restaurants. ?? These accomplishments were made possible thanks to the awarded partners and the collaboration and dedication of FRESHFARM’s entire network of non-profits, farms, and mission-aligned organizations. ?? Read more: https://heyor.ca/ivuv36 2024 Local Food Champion Award Winners ?? Roots of Partnership Award?? 78 Acres (Smithsburg, MD) and Pleitez Produce Farm (Montross, VA) Recognized for their foundational role in providing $283,000 worth of local produce to the PUFH in 2024. ??Innovation in Sustainability Award?? Beanstalk Farms (Herndon, VA) Honored for its cutting-edge, soil-based vertical farming to deliver fresh greens year-round. ?? Equity in Action Award ?? Owl’s Nest Farm (Upper Marlboro, MD) Celebrated for championing equitable ownership through its worker-owned cooperative model. ?? Unity in Service Award ?? We Are Family Highlighted for its dedication to serving seniors with 500–600 orders of local produce every two weeks. ?? Community Health Advocate Award ?? Department of Health Studies at American University Recognized for funding operations and supporting groundbreaking health research. ?? Pioneer Partner Award?? Family Medical Counseling Service Honored for advancing the "Food is Medicine" model by integrating local produce into health clinic initiatives. ??Savoring Seasonality Award ?? Georgetown Events Hospitality Group Celebrated for embracing seasonal ingredients across its restaurants Millie’s and Surfside DC.

#ICYMI: Renee Catacalos, FRESHFARM Director of Strategic Investments, was a keynote speaker at last weekend's FUTURE HARVEST "Farming into the Future" conference. Her remarks explored the question "Is Today the Future We Imagined?" and examined a series of reports and studies drafted from 2012 to 2020, taking stock of their evolving assessments and recommendations for building a more robust local food system. "While we all know that data and metrics can’t tell nearly the whole story, especially not about food systems change, they can certainly tell some of the story. And it’s a good place to start trying to harmonize the different metrics that different organizations and funders use, and even to analyze whether what we are used to tracking and reporting actually tells us anything useful about our progress, " she noted. Renee shared fun examples of progress she has seen during the past 20 years and called on conference attendees to note examples they see in their own work. "Today is partly the future we imagined, which makes me hopeful," Renee concluded, "and we still have a lot of work to do." Thank you, Future Harvest, for including Renee in your program and for putting together such an inspiring conference every year. As Renee aptly put it: "Let's plan for the future and plan out the next steps of our visions - as a field, as farmers and activists, as individuals and food system champions. Let’s go do it!" #FRESHFARM . . . . #FarmingIntoTheFuture #FoodSystemChange #LocalFoodSystems #FutureHarvest #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSystemChampions #NonprofitLeadership #MidAtlanticFoodSystem

?? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led by example, fighting for what he believed in. Today we honor his life through remembrance and service. ?? FRESHFARM FoodPrints is fueled by a core value of service -- to our students, our partner schools, and the community. This past December we lost Selma Bernice White, a retired DCPS teacher who dedicated years of service to DCPS and to FoodPrints in her retirement. With FoodPrints, she created joyful opportunities in the garden and kitchen at Kimball Elementary, enriching the lives of hundreds of students. ?? Her obituary notes that "Selma was an advocate for social justice and food equity. She worked as an expert educator at FRESHFARM FoodPrints. She enjoyed sharing her love for gardening, cooking, and nutrition with young children and inspired colleagues. Her contributions extended far beyond teaching, as she played a pivotal role in community activism and social equity." ???? We are so grateful to Selma Bernice White and all the FoodPrints teachers, assistants, and volunteers who bring this program to life every day at schools across the District. Our condolences to Selma White's family and friends. May her memory be a blessing. ?? Read more about Selma and her life: https://lnkd.in/eyJDYZjS #FRESHFARM #MLKJr . . . . #service #DrMartinLutherKingJr #RemembranceAndService #SocialJustice #FoodEquity #CommunityActivism #NutritionEducation #LegacyOfService #GratefulForTeachers #EducatorImpact #ActivismAndEquity #FoodPrintsDC #growcookeatlearn #MLK