Local Food Resources within FAN

The sustainability of foods is a complex topic, and the distance food travels is only one factor (research suggests that eating more sustainably hinges on diet choices and farming practices). That said, eating locally often translates into eating fresher, and it gives us the opportunity to learn more about our local producers and their practices. It also strengthens community ties, and keeps money in our local economy.

This list confines itself to resources at our doorsteps within the bounds of the Friendly Area Neighborhood, but we are lucky to live in a county rich in local food options. One more comprehensive guide for the wider area is Willamette Farm & Food Coalition’s Locally Grown Guide.

This page is a work-in-progress, and does not claim to be complete. Please use our contact form if you have a suggestion for an addition to this page. Apologies to anyone we may have missed! For the most up-to-date information, including hours and availability, please reach out to these businesses and producers directly.

Sourcing Local Produce and Prepared Foods

Community Supported Agriculture or Cropshare
Many local farms offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes–a system in which you prepay for a season and then receive a regular share of produce. Some of them have drop sites in the Friendly Area Neighborhood, including:
Some of these producers accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits to pay for CSA boxes! Check their websites for current payment options (the CSA section of the Locally Grown Guide also lists this information and much more).

Farm Stands
  • Winter Green Farm Stand  Parking lot of Emmaus Lutheran Church, 1250 W. 18th Ave. (Seasonal, see website for dates and times)

Groceries
Little Free Pantries and Food Assistance
For the wider Lane County area, FOOD for Lane County provides a list of food pantries, meal sites, and more. In addition, some of the businesses in this guide may accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

Non-perishable food often available at this Little Free Pantry in FAN (may also accept donations):
  • Corner of W. 25th Ave. and Jackson St.

Restaurants and Food Carts
We have about 40 food-serving businesses in the Friendly Neighborhood, many of them concentrated around Willamette Street! Given these large numbers, we have not surveyed each business about their local food options. If you are interested, consider asking the businesses you patronize whether or not they feature local produce.

Growing Your Own
The most local food we can access comes from our own yards, windowsills, and nearby community garden plots. For research-backed information about growing in our area, one resource is Lane County’s OSU Extension Service. In addition to the guides and information on their website, they also hold events and offer a Master Gardener hotline to answer your gardening questions. For Latino families, a second resource is Huerto de la Familia, which offers gardening education, plots, and more.

Sourcing Plant Starts and Seed
Seed, and plant starts particularly, are often stocked seasonally, and may be less available, or not available in late fall and early winter. Did you know that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits may be applied to food-producing seeds and plants? This Oregon Department of Human Services publication explains how.
Gardening Supplies
Community Gardens
DISCLAIMER: FAN expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of its publications. Reference in this publication to any specific product, process, or service is for the information and convenience of its members, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by FAN.

Friendly Area Neighbors