The Farm to Heart Initiative
We are very interested in extending the reach of our farm into underserved communities. We want to grow our circle of care and we need your support. In 2020, we are partnering with the Fruit Valley community to bring April Joy Farm produce to families facing food insecurity.
Brad and I have committed to raising enough funds to provide 10 low income families with an April Joy Farm CSA share for three seasons: 2020, 2021, and 2022.
In response to our commitment to raise $9,800 per year for CSA memberships, (10 shares at $980 per share per year), our Fruit Valley friends have promised to secure an additional $10,000 per year for three years to purchase fresh produce from April Joy Farm for distribution to low income families. This will not only create a stable sales channel for us farmers, but also will assist with our goal to distribute everything we grow.
Watch our potato planting partnership with Fruit Valley Elementary Students
By working directly with the Family Resource Center, we will be able to make sure our food gets directly into the hands of those who need it. If we can develop and grow our partnership, we envision many outreach possibilities, for instance, basic cooking supply kits for families, after school "dinner prep" classes for kids, farmer and chef mentorships, etc... all designed to help eliminate the nutrition related barriers many food insecure families are facing. We know how comforting a nourishing, healthy meal can make one feel and we want that so much for the children in our community.
Last fall, Brad and I donated a load of produce to the Fruit Valley Family Resource Center. As we handed the Resource Center Coordinator a big bag of apples, she told us that when she has food, she puts together small sacks of snacks to send home with students on Fridays so they have something to eat over the weekend. Then she shared this story.
“A second grade student came into the Resource Center with his twin four-year-old brothers. The three of them together were making a list- not a Christmas list, but rather a grocery list. Can you imagine? A second grader and two four-year-olds knowing exactly what wasn’t in their kitchen cupboards. At the top of their list? Apples.”
We’re reaching out to ask for your support. Will you help? Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. If you know of anyone who would be interested in supporting our efforts, please send them our way, right away.
OR
Mail donations to:
Farm to Heart Initiative
c/o April Joy Farm
PO Box 973
Ridgefield, WA. 98642
We have a long-standing partnership with the Fruit Valley community.
Thank you for helping us expand our reach.
Sincerely,
April & Brad Thatcher
Farmers, April Joy Farm