LIFE@OSU

A newly refurbished “Food for Oregon” Web site provides an updated database of local and regional food resources for families and communities to improve food security.

OSU students Stephen Hodges, Jennifer Villalobos, Andrea White load up a box at the OSU Food Pantry. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Food for Oregon is a partnership between the Oregon Food Bank and Oregon State University Extension Service. “Goals of the partnership are to increase Oregonians’ access to local, sustainable food resources and to build connections between community food, education and advocacy resources,” according to Sharon Thornberry, community resource developer for the Oregon Food Bank.

Users can search the database by county, program area, organization or locale for information on Oregon and Southwest Washington farmers markets, community gardens and kitchens, gleaning groups and nutrition education, among others.

“Events calendars were added by request,” Thornberry said, “as were discussion forums on topics such as community gardens, youth gardens and therapeutic gardens.”

A recent report by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture showed that Oregon ranks second nationally in hunger/food insecurity issues. Experts say high unemployment coupled with costly housing prices are two influential dynamics in the state’s hunger problem.

The Food for Oregon Web site can be found at http://foodfororegon.oregonstate.edu/.

~ Judy Scott