Northwest Farmers Fight Hunger

Northwest Farmers Fight Hunger

The issue of hunger in the Pacific Northwest is not going away, but neither are those who can help do something about it, including farmers, retailers, and a generous public:

To help celebrate June as dairy month, a contest of sorts is underway with a goal of raising 100-thousand dollars and 100-thousand pounds of food before July. As an incentive, the states of Oregon and Washington are competing to see who brings in the most donations.
Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba helped kick off the month-long campaign at a Portland Fred Meyer location yesterday :

COBA:  “It’s a friendly competition between the states of Oregon and Washington. My counterpart in Washington, Director Bud Hover, and myself see this as a great way to raise the profile of hunger and raise the profile of all of the good things that agriculture in our respective states are doing to try to alleviate hunger.”  

The campaign, “Northwest Farmers Fighting Hunger,” started as an idea of the Oregon and Washington Dairy Products Commissions but has quickly picked up some enthusiastic partners who have always come forward to help address hunger issues:
 
COBA:  “Absolutely. We’ve got commissions, we have producers, we have processors who have historically been very active in food donations to food banks.”  

Fred Meyer stores in Oregon and Washington are helping to promote the month long event and will be collecting food donations. Food assistance organizations in both states, including Oregon Food Bank, Food Lifeline, and Second Harvest will help distribute the donations. Meanwhile, bragging rights and a trophy will go to the state that raises the most. 

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