2022-366-E-Health-Farmer Foodshare-Outside Agency Agreement

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Program information Page 10 of 37 Through our work with partners, we know two things: (1) there is universal need for fresh food, and (2) the types of food needed and the best mechanisms for getting that food to people in need vary by community. Farmer Foodshare relies on partners to elicit feedback from those they serve (exclusively low-income individuals and predominantly BIPOC) and develop solutions that match these needs. While each of the partnerships described in this application involves food distribution, the frequency and method of distribution and the product mix and quantities partners choose to purchase will vary based on input from beneficiaries. b. How has your organization incorporated racial equity goals into your organizational goals? In 2018, Farmer Foodshare published a Diversity Strategic Plan that outlined its commitment to cultivating and maintaining a culture of inclusion. The plan outlined FF’s objectives to (1) recruit and retain a board of directors that reflects our community’s demographics, (2) create and maintain a culture of inclusion and cultural competency on the board through ongoing training. We successfully implemented this plan and continue to adhere to its principles in our ongoing efforts to incorporate racial equity into our operations. Further, our hiring protocols reflect our efforts to intentionally seek out staff members with diverse life experiences that will enrich our understanding and deepen the quality of service we provide. Our demographics reflect our efforts on this front. Additionally, all staff and board members participate in racial equity training, most recently in summer 2021. c. Please fill in the below questions and provide any additional context on the racial composition of the organization and board leadership: i. % of staff that are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) : 71% ii. % of board that are BIPOC: 43% iii. % of staff that have attended racial equity training: 100% d. Please describe any additional activities your organization is doing to address racial equity. A history of systemic racism has created huge hurdles for BIPOC farmers, as well as female and beginning farmers. These farms often have difficulty obtaining financing due to lack of credit history, the increased risk associated with lending to an inexperienced farmer, or continued discrimination against people of color. Farmer Foodshare is working to create awareness of these issues as well as specific opportunities for these farms. In recent years, we hosted a speaker series focused on understanding the legacy of race and farming for BIPOC farmers. We also are working with the Farmers of Color Network coordinated through Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI- USA) to incorporate more BIPOC farms into our sourcing network. Most recently, we added Durham-based Jireh Family Farm, a small-scale producer of herbs, pork, and chicken. In 2022, we plan to launch a competitive mini-grants program aimed at providing BIPOC farms with funding for equipment upgrades and technical assistance that will aid them in preparing to sell wholesale. EXHIBIT A: PROVIDER'S OUTSIDE AGENCY APPLICATION DocuSign Envelope ID: BC021861-30DF-4F8A-9FA3-8AE2B71D28D0