Our Top 10 for 2011

2 Comments December 13, 2011

It’s hard to believe we’re just weeks away from a brand new year! But before we leave 2011 behind, let’s take a moment to reflect upon the progress we’ve made this year, thanks to your support.

If you need some good news, care about our local food system, or just want to know how your support is making an impact, this list is for you. We hope it makes you proud, excited, inspired — and we hope it moves you to show your support again, before December is over.

So, without further ado, here they are: The Top 10 Local Food Hub Accomplishments in 2011!

10. Built a photo booth.
The Heritage Harvest Festival is always a blast, but this year we took it to the next level by setting up a photo booth, complete with chalkboard signs and moustache props. The results are endlessly entertaining – check them out! I bet you’ll see someone you know.

9. Went to the summit, got a shout out.
We were proud to participate in the 2nd Virginia Food Security Summit this December — and to have a hand in launching the official Farm to Table Plan for our state. Plus, did we mention we got a shout-out from Kathleen Merrigan? That was exciting!

8. Hosted some wonderful workshops.
Our Sustainable Agriculture Workshop Series brought together more than 100 beginning, established and aspiring farmers to learn skills like pest management, fruit tree grafting, and marketing. And, these low-cost or free classes will continue in 2012 — stay tuned. 

7. Free starter plants for farmers and schoolyard gardens.
Using our heated greenhouse, we provided free plant starts to our farmers, enabling them to get a head start on the season. Extra plants were donated to schoolyard and community gardens, and sold at our open house and plant sale. What a beautiful day.

6. Said “thank you” with the 2011 Community Food Awards.
This fall, we took the opportunity to honor the farmers, buyers, and community members that share our commitment to local food and farms, and who make our work possible. Read more about the awards — and the winners – on this blog post.

5. Local food for local kids.
We now deliver fresh, local food to more than 45 public schools in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Nelson, and Greene. That means thousands of kids now have the option of local goodies like apples, strawberries, cherry tomatoes and broccoli for lunch and snacks. Can you believe we’ve now delivered more than 250,000 pounds of local apples to schools? Yowza!

4. Donated more than 100,000 pounds of fresh, local food.
We believe everyone in our community deserves access to fresh, local, affordable food. That’s why we donate thousands of pounds of healthy fruits and vegetables to food banks, soup kitchens, non-profits and community groups.

3. Partnered with 65+ family farmers.
And the number continues to grow! This diverse group of men and woman inspire us with their skill, dedication, expertise and passion for farming — they are truly the reason we go to work in the morning. Take a moment to learn who they are!

2. Made our hospitals healthier.
Healthy hospital food just makes sense. Now, you can now find healthy, local fruits and vegetables on the menu at UVA and Martha Jefferson hospitals here in Charlottesville. This is a great opportunity for our farmers and an important contribution to community health and well-being. Cheers!

1. Hit the $1 million mark!
Since opening our doors in 2009, we’ve now sold more than one million dollars worth of locally grown fruits, vegetables, meat, and eggs to area hospitals, schools, restaurants and grocery stores. This money has gone directly back to our partnering farms. By ensuring a fair price for our farmers and increasing community access to fresh food, we are helping create jobs, protect farmland, increase health, and support our local economy.

So there you have it, Charlottesville: our top 10 success stories of 2011. If you supported our work this year -- whether through a donation of money, time, goods or services – then you played a big part in making these stories possible. Thank you.

We hope you’ll continue to support our work by making a donation before the end of 2011 — let’s make next year’s list even more impressive!

Happy holidays to you and yours!