Planting the Seeds for a Community Farm Stop

Last year’s Give Lopez donations helped send Levi Rodriguez to a national conference focused on Farm Stop models. The training offered valuable insight into how communities combine a farmers market, a farm stand, and Food Hub to provide direct sales and relations with local farmers. With the additional benefits of creating both greater access to a wide range of local grown and produced goods for all community members,  well as a broader market for local producers.

Farm Stops are mission driven and prioritize supporting and enabling small scale producers by sourcing directly within a specified local radius. They further perpetuate this mission by implementing a specific business model based on consignment, which is one way to ensure that producers get the real value of their product.

Help Us Grow What Comes Next

There is much work needed now to make it successful when the Food Center doors open. Your Give Lopez contribution helps move this project from idea to reality.

Located at the future Lopez Food Center, the farm stand would create a shared space where:

• For the first time on Lopez, SNAP recipients could buy directly from farmers, and The San Juan County Fresh Bucks program could provide eligible residents up to $20-$40 weekly for local produce April-October.

• Local growers can sell their produce in a highly visible Lopez Village location 
• Islanders can access fresh, locally grown food and products in one convenient location for the Farm Stand, San Juan Island Food Hub, and Lopez Food Share (food bank)
• Students and young people can gain real work experience in food systems and business operations
• We can create a stronger, more efficient food system, sharing the bounty of our local grown foods more widely and equitably
  
  

This “Farm Stop” model has been highly successful in many locations.  Every gift helps plant the seeds for a stronger Lopez Island food system.