Creating a "County CROPS" program to feed hungry people
On Thursday, May 28, the Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners will consider a resolution that Jeff is introducing that creates “County CROPS – Community Reaps Our Produce and Shares,” an agricultural project intended to help hungry families.
This resolution will allow for creation of an emergency farm on up to two acres of surplus county property in Troutdale. If the resolution passes, the garden will provide fresh produce to hundreds families through the Oregon Food Bank network. Currently, 36,000 people access emergency food boxes per month in Multnomah County.
Hands on Greater Portland, a volunteer-matching organization, will partner with Multnomah County to provide volunteers for special planting, gardening and harvest days for this potential project. Constant maintenance will be provided by the county’s Community Service Program, a program that offers opportunities to citizens who’ve committed non-violent, low-level crimes to pay their debt to society through community service hours.
“By creatively leveraging existing resources, we can put fallow land back into production while providing a source of healthy, fresh food to hungry people,” said Cogen. “We also get the opportunity to build strong relationships with community partners like Hands on Greater Portland.” Other supporters include McMenamin’s Hotels and Restaurants, Portland General Electric, Oregon State Extension Program and the Northwest Service Academy.
The county’s surplus and tax-foreclosed properties are reviewed by the Greenspace Review Committee on an annual basis for appropriate inclusion in agricultural projects. County CROPS and County Digs – another agricultural program on surplus county land – also helps the County meet its adopted sustainability principles and recognizes the efforts of the Portland/Multnomah Food Policy Council, a collaborative citizen-advisory committee for the county and the City of Portland.
Posted on May 27, 2009
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