SALEM HARVEST

Salem Harvest's goal is to reduce hunger in our region by harvesting and gathering fresh produce that would otherwise be wasted and delivering it to the food distribution network.

Salem Harvest coordinates among three basic resource inputs: volunteers, crops, and delivery sites. Each of these has strategies aimed at furthering the organization's mission:

1. Volunteers are recruited through our website and outreach activities such as presentations to local organizations, businesses, and schools. Although there are thousands of registered volunteers they are kept informed through the website, monthly newsletters, and social media.

2. Crop owners are recruited through the website, personal networking in the agriculture industry by the Executive Director, and word-of-mouth among farmers who have seen first-hand the benefits for themselves and the community of donating crops through Salem Harvest.

3. Salem Harvest maintains its relationship with the primary emergency food distributor in the area, Marion Polk Food Share, through regular personal contact, joint planning meetings, and sharing information on a continual basis.

Salem Harvest's capabilities are demonstrated by the fundamental metric embodied in our mission: pounds of fresh food delivered to those in need in our community. Specifically, starting in 2010 with 28,000 pounds donated we have increased out capacity and capabilities steadily and now average 400,000 pounds per year. The total amount is now more than 3.8 million pounds of food rescued.

Salem Harvest has managed explosive growth reasonably well and took the step in 2015 to add a paid Executive Director. Organizational growth continued as the number of farmers participating increased. To manage the increase in volume we acquired an equipment storage area, two trucks to harvest into and deliver crops with, as well as a 20' trailer for very large harvest volumes. Personnel has increased as well with employing summer interns in years 2019 - 2021, and then hiring a second full time, part year employee in 2022. In 2023 we are piloting a new education program focused on agricultural topics for underserved children in our community.