Hello, friends!

I am appealing for support for Healthy Food for All, the food recovery initiative I started with my good friend, Joe Mingle, 10 years ago. All funds raised in this appeal will go directly to supporting this work.

It's generally not in my nature to make personal appeals for support but our food system is in crisis. Farm commodity prices are down and farmers have lost markets, inflation is hitting the grocery store shelves, and supports for families in need are being pulled away. I've been involved in local food access work through good times and bad for over 20 years and there’s just no denying we’re heading into harder times ahead.

The news this week that 700,000 of our neighbors in Wiscsonsin may not be receiving their FoodShare benefits come November 1 is disturbing and could put a lot of families in crisis just as we approach the holidays.

Having such a broad and deep connection to so many aspects of the local food system, I feel compelled to act before the challenges ahead overcome us. I’m appealing to you directly for support to sustain our on-going operations as well as help us implement elements of a concrete plan in response to the growing crisis.

With so much uncertainty in the world, prudence suggests we take action now to prepare for what is coming. Before conditions deteriorate further, we are appealing to our supporters and friends to make a donation in support of our work and preparations.

Here’s just a few examples of Healthy Food for All's impact:

Food recovery at the conclusion of local farmer's markets including expanding Buy One For A Neighbor and Buy Out the Market events.

Distribution of donations from local farms and orchards, including produce that is specifically grown for donation.

Expanding our Green Catering initiative, recovering food from cafeterias and events.

Coordinating the Food Recovery Network, a cohort of over 25 volunteers who drive daily food recovery routes to local retailers and deliver the food directly to food pantries and community agencies.

A critical part of our work has always been learning from our community partners, analyzing current conditions and trying to look a little ways into the future to predict what’s ahead. We can all see what’s coming now and HFFA is rising to the challenge.

For more information about our history and other work, check out our website or facebook page. www.hffadane.org

Together with your support and the proven dedication of all our community partners, we know we can all act now to build greater food security in our community for generations to come.

Every contribution, big or small, makes a real impact. Even just a few dollars can help move this mission forward and reach those who need it most.

If you can’t donate right now, sharing this fundraiser is also incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. It means the world to me.