In a recent development, Eloise’s Cooking Pot initiated a program aimed at purchasing produce from local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) farmers and producers. However, this endeavor encountered several challenges in the working relationships between the organization and these local farms.

Despite the farms producing exceptionally high-quality food with deep cultural relevance, they grappled with tasks beyond the scope of farming itself. Issues such as food transportation, marketing, and invoicing proved to be stumbling blocks. Eloise’s Cooking Pot’s experiences mirrored those of other hunger relief organizations, all of which faced barriers when collaborating with local farms, including dealing with smaller crop yields and limited cash flow.

Ahndrea Blue, Founder and CEO of the Tacoma, Washington-based Making A Difference Foundation, which operates Eloise’s Cooking Pot, expressed their commitment to overcoming these hurdles. Speaking at the Anti-Hunger Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., last month, Blue explained that this commitment began approximately a year ago.

Blue’s journey began when she learned that a nearby farmers market, frequented by many Black, Brown, Indigenous, and refugee populations, had lost access to its usual location. Recognizing the potential for collaboration, she decided to source fresh produce from these displaced farmers. Although she already had access to various distributors, she was impressed by the unique quality of the produce these farmers offered.

Initially, Blue connected with ten of these displaced farmers, eventually expanding her network to 28. However, complications arose quickly. Some farmers were unable to invoice, some lacked proper accounting practices, and others faced licensing and equipment challenges. Additionally, many were unfamiliar with wholesale pricing and had difficulty identifying new markets and transporting their products.

Blue and her team realized that these issues were widespread among the farmers they sought to support. To address these challenges and ensure the success and profitability of their partners, Blue initiated a pilot program. Pantry staff provided free technical assistance to farmers, covering topics such as business planning, bookkeeping, and food safety. Seminars on grant applications were also offered.

Recognizing the shortage of labor among these farmers, Blue hired staff to assist with harvesting, packaging, and delivering produce to the food bank. She even hired a grant writer to further support them.

The culmination of their efforts resulted in a significant achievement. In June, Eloise’s Cooking Pot successfully contracted to purchase all the products from these farmers and paid them in advance, marking a pivotal moment for everyone involved. With the pilot program drawing to a close, Blue is currently fundraising for the next phase: creating a hub where producers can share processing space and benefit from on-site support, akin to similar initiatives in Washington state.

The partnership between Eloise’s Cooking Pot and the local farmers has yielded many success stories. One noteworthy example is Farmer Ed, a third-generation Black beef cattleman who had never operated with a business plan or turned a profit until he received assistance through the food bank pilot program.

Clients of the food bank, who can access the pantry five days a week, have noticed a remarkable improvement in the quality and variety of food available at Eloise’s. Beyond beef, the food bank now offers a range of meats, including pork, lamb, chicken, and turkey. Microgreens from the BIPOC-owned Garden of Eden farm continue to thrive once clients take them home. Additionally, the pantry boasts a diverse selection of produce, from sweet corn to cilantro, offering healthier and more nutritious options to those in need.

Ultimately, this initiative not only benefits food bank clients but also provides local farmers with a platform to distribute their products and receive fair compensation. Ahndrea Blue sums it up succinctly: “It doesn’t get any better than that.”