Pitch: Big Giver Donation

There was a note left at our farm last summer that read:

We have had lots of unexpected bills (car, school, appliances) totaling $15,000 that we did not budget for. We have been using fresh produce to help us get by when we didn't think we would need help.
Signed "Family of 5."

You can almost feel the relief from this family.

I can only imagine how challenging it must be for someone to choose between paying bills and putting nutritious food on the table. It's heartening to know that they were able to find help in such a difficult situation. It may surprise you, and probably should surprise you a little, to learn that 28% of all the households in Midland are in the same situation right now. Our neighbors who live above the poverty line but still below the basic cost of living are known as the ALICE community. It is a fact that over 50% of households in Midland are currently experiencing food insecurity, as reported by the United Way.

It is a big deal. We tend to simplify and often think of food insecurity as needing sufficient food. You must also consider someone with a diet lacking quality, variety, and desirability. If you try to preach to these neighbors about the virtues of healthy eating, you will hear, "I can't afford THAT FOOD on OUR family's budget."

Conversations like that are throughout the origin story behind Phoenix Community Farm. We are now on our 6th season of sharing as a 1-acre fruit, vegetable, and flower Farm on a big mission to assist residents in meeting the basic need for fresh, healthy produce and to educate and empower our community to grow healthy together.

We are not trying to meet this significant need alone. We are the first step of a powerful local effort. We have donated well over 100,000 servings of healthy fruits and vegetables through the Midland Fresh Mobile Farm Stand run by the Arnold Center, Hidden Harvest, and a Pay What You Can Produce stand by our farm.

We also share education. Every season, we love to invite people from all over our community into our garden space to discover and enjoy a variety of delicious vegetables. One of our favorite groups is the Head Start preschool program on M20. These kids happily walk down to the garden and learn as they play in our dirt. Nothing is better than watching their excitement when we share some samples for them to take home.

Another fantastic collaboration is with the students of Windover High School, where our farm is located. Can you imagine a steady stream of young people directly engaged in the farm-to-table experience? They do their planting, harvesting, and meal preparation as part of their culinary classes. It's remarkable to see High Schoolers working outside late in the fall and begging to bring in brussel sprouts as a treat for lunch.

With many students qualifying for reduced lunches, the school provides free lunch for the entire student body. This is a clear example of what we mean when we say there is a big problem of food insecurity in Midland.

Just ahead of our 5th year, Phoenix Community Farm transitioned from a 100% volunteer-run organization to employing a staff person to coordinate the work that will make the most impact. To help cover our costs, we sell fresh-cut flowers, as well as a variety of mixed greens and herbs.

Other garden operations primarily focus on selling what they grow, and then, if they can, they donate a portion. However, since our founding, we have intentionally shared nearly ALL the vegetables we grow.

Because attempting to sell produce would take away what we have available for people who visit our farm stand whenever they need to, pay whatever they can, and leave an occasional note. I hope you're picking up on this thread of connections and relationships.

I will share one more note from last summer. It simply said:

This product has been helpful! My husband is laid off, and we are still able to afford produce! Thank You.

The 2023 growing season is well underway, and I can confidently say that healthy things are happening! But as busy as we are today, we must also consider our future. Specifically, if selected, your funds will provide for all of next year's seed and seedling orders and support us in continuing our operations.

All the work we do starts from a seed like this. Seeds are the ultimate symbol of believing something can become much more than it looks. We can meet the need for fresh, healthy food here in Midland County. We ask you to be a big giver and trust that Phoenix Community Farm will continue positively impacting our community.