A Greater Applegate’s Farm to Food Pantry Project utilizes our resources to meet local needs of youth, families, and older adults facing food scarcity. Through this project we are able to purchase fresh produce, meat, and eggs from local farms and ranches and distribute it to the two food pantries in Ruch (Jackson County) and Williams (Josephine County) in the Applegate Valley. The Oregon Food Bank is a terrific resource for people in need of basic sustenance, but the pantries struggle to provide fresh produce and locally sourced protein. AGA provides high-quality, nutritious food to the pantries while providing a modest income to local family farms. Food is picked up at the farms the mornings the pantries are open and delivered fresh. With Local Food Purchasing Assistance funding support, the program which began as a pilot in summer 2020, will run May-October 2023 serving over 250 needy families each month.