“Creating a vibrant local food economy that reaches each Del Norte and Tribal Lands resident daily.”
Building Healthy Communities’ Food Initiative focuses on food insecurity, local food economy and food culture shift.
![youth gardening - crouching over a garden bed with plants](https://hafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/youth-gardening.jpeg)
Food Insecurity
- Conducted empathy interviews to better understand the experience of food insecurity in Del Norte.
- Opened a the Pacific Pantry good store at the Family Resource Center of the Redwoods in Crescent City.
- Large expansion of Seamless Summer meal program at Del Norte schools.
- Established food forests and community gardens throughout Del Norte and Tribal Lands.
- Home Gardens installation program created in partnership with Open Door Community Health Center.
- Support for Del Norte school gardens through an annual mini-grant program.
![child bending over a box of veggies](https://hafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/brittany-truck-600.jpeg)
Economic Development
- Secured grant funding for Crescent City Farmers Market and Downtown Farmers Market to participate in the statewide Market Match program.
- Secured USDA Local Food Promotion Program grant funding for Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation to explore agriculture enterprise options.
- Established a “Go Local” campaign to promote local food producers.
![people standing looking at plant trellis](https://hafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Conner-workshop-600-e1670899835335.jpeg)
Food Culture Shift
- Hosted more than 50 cooking/gardening DIY classes and workshops hosted throughout Del Norte and Tribal Lands.
- Hosted a two-day NorCal convening of the California Food Policy Council.
- Hosted a Community Garden Conference with Open Door.
- Host annual “Food Days” to celebrate Del Norte’s local food producers.
- Helped the Harvest of the Month program gain long-term funding support.
![](https://hafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Food-veggie-display-600x317-1.jpeg)