The Rogue Valley, located in Southern Oregon, is renowned for its natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and agricultural abundance. In recent years, a revolutionary initiative known as Rogue Food Unites has emerged, bringing together local farmers, producers, consumers, and businesses in a collective effort to strengthen the region’s food system.
Rogue Food Unites is a collaborative platform that fosters a sense of community, sustainability, and economic prosperity through its multifaceted approach.
Who is Rogue Food Unites?
Rogue Food Unites formed in a year littered with disaster and deep community impacts.
In 2020, Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley was ravaged by fires. In that year alone, over 1 million acres burned, and over 5,000 homes were lost across the state.
Half of those homes, though? Were located in just two of the small towns in Southern Oregon– Phoenix and Talent.
To feel the weight of that comparison, look at it this way: of the 21 notable fires that blazed in 2020 across the entire state of Oregon– ten of which with greater acreage burned– the Alameda Fire, and the communities hit by its destruction, suffered the greatest damage in the foundation of their townships as that fire alone accrued the largest number of homes and structures lost.
When disaster strikes, and resources become scarce or harder to obtain, there is often an overwhelming displacement of those affected.
Some moved into their cars, others into temporary shelters.
Some relied on the network of friends and families, while others had no one to call on.
The town of Talent alone experienced what the mayor estimates a 25% loss of their community in the displacement and lacking resources.
Framing such a historic day that changed the face of our Southern Oregon communities with these numbers, and knowing the vulnerable communities primarily hit in these small towns, puts it in perspective where Rogue Food Unites found a need they were committed to serving.
So who is Rogue Food Unites?
“Rogue Food Unites coordinates with locally-invested food businesses to provide fresh, nutritious, and shelf-stable ingredients, assembled and delivered to our communities.
While meeting the fundamental human right for food, RFU strengthens local economies: fostering collaboration, preserving jobs for residents, building resilience, and ensuring food security and sovereignty in Oregon.”
Rogue Food Unites: the Numbers to Celebrate
In a short time following this disaster, Rogue Food Unites began contracting with the State of Oregon directly to meet the needs of those affected and supply hot meals, and food boxes.
Their reach extended further to recognizing and providing for those in five Oregon counties.
Since the time of their inception, RFU has provided 1,431,665 meals to displaced and impacted people, including 600,700 hot meals.
They have served at recovery sites and delivered to hotels, RV parks and temporary homes.
They have also given 38,756 meal kits and provision boxes.
They have provided fresh produce to more than 10,000 individuals.
Rogue Food Unites saw a gap in needs that was imperative to be filled– and that goes beyond just supplying food to those impacted.
They also saw the need to keep the community connected.
Through their supply partnerships with regional restaurants, farms, vendors, and stores, Rogue Food Unites has recirculated nearly $20 million into our local economies since September 2020.
Rogue Food Unites: Promoting Local Agriculture and Sustainability
Rogue Food Unites plays a pivotal role in promoting local agriculture and sustainability in the Rogue Valley.
RFU hosts a “no barrier, no cost farmers market for all” opening up the access to farm fresh foods to everyone in the community.
By connecting farmers and producers directly with consumers, this nonprofit shortens the supply chain and reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation.
Local farmers are empowered to embrace sustainable practices, such as organic farming and regenerative agriculture, fostering environmental stewardship and biodiversity conservation.
Its through these intentional efforts set in motion that consumers gain access to fresh, locally sourced, and seasonal produce, contributing to healthier diets and reducing reliance on imported goods.
Rogue Food Unites: Strengthening the Local Economy
The success of Rogue Food Unites has led to a resurgence in the local economy. By supporting small-scale farmers and producers, Rogue Food Unites bolsters the region’s agricultural sector.
Southern Oregon’s largest employer over the years has been Harry & David, the proprietor of so many of the classic orchards dotting our region.
That is to say, Southern Oregon has a strong agricultural network. And it goes far beyond one big business, in fact that is a point for Rogue Food Unites. With one of the widest growing seasons, there is much to cultivate and many hands needed to do so. Which, in turn, generates job opportunities and stimulates economic growth.
The nonprofit encourages entrepreneurship and fosters innovation in food-related businesses, creating a ripple effect of economic benefits throughout the valley.
Rogue Food Unites: Fostering Community Engagement
With the belief that “food is the first step,” Rogue Food Unites has taken that first step in providing and continued in the following steps that come after.
They foster a strong sense of community engagement by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a common interest in food and sustainable living. The platform hosts farmers’ markets, food festivals, workshops, and educational events, providing opportunities for face-to-face interactions and knowledge-sharing between farmers and consumers. This sense of community strengthens social bonds, enhances trust, and fosters a spirit of collaboration.
Rogue Food Unites: Nurturing Food Education and Awareness
Through its various educational initiatives, RFU plays a crucial role in nurturing food education and awareness in the Rogue Valley. By offering workshops on gardening, cooking, and food preservation, the platform empowers community members to become more self-reliant and knowledgeable about their food sources. As a result, consumers make more informed choices, leading to increased demand for sustainably produced, locally sourced products.
Rogue Food Unites empowers the communities to ask for what they have learned they need and prefer, in turn shaping the recovery efforts in our communities, not just in the rebuilding of our towns, but in the economy of what is provided as well.
Rogue Food Unites: Mitigating Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is one with wide reaching causes and deep effects. Food insecurity is often stimulated by poverty, unemployment, low income, and lack of affordable housing. Each of these triggers are found in the aftermath of disaster.
Rogue Food Unites takes a proactive stance in addressing food insecurity within the Rogue Valley. By connecting surplus food from local farms and businesses with food banks and community organizations, Rogue Food Unites ensures that nutritious food reaches those in need. This not only reduces food waste but also improves food access for vulnerable populations, promoting a more equitable food system.
Rogue Food Unites: Supporting Culinary Tourism
The Rogue Valley’s culinary scene has flourished with the support of Rogue Food Unites. By promoting local ingredients and artisanal products, Rogue Food Unites has contributed to a thriving food culture that attracts tourists seeking authentic, locally sourced culinary experiences.
Travel Oregon has even created a Rogue Valley Food Trail that provides the information and waypoints for those looking for a tasty excursion through the Rogue Valley.
Culinary tourism has bolstered the region’s hospitality sector, including restaurants, hotels, and other related businesses, providing an additional economic boost.
Rogue Food Unites: Encouraging Sustainable Land Management
As RFU promotes sustainable agricultural practices, it also encourages responsible land management. Local farmers and landowners are incentivized to adopt conservation methods, such as soil health improvement, water conservation, and habitat restoration. These efforts contribute to the preservation of natural resources, mitigating environmental degradation and supporting long-term ecological health in the Rogue Valley.
Rogue Food Unites: Strengthening Food Resilience
The collaborative nature of Rogue Food Unites strengthens the food resilience of the Rogue Valley. By diversifying the food sources and encouraging a wider variety of crops and products, the region becomes less vulnerable to external shocks, such as climate change, transportation disruptions, or global market fluctuations. This enhanced resilience ensures that the community can weather challenges and uncertainties more effectively.
Pulling a Community Together with Rogue Food Unites
Rogue Food Unites has emerged as a transformative force within the Rogue Valley, uniting communities and revitalizing the region’s food system.
Through its emphasis on local agriculture, sustainability, community engagement, and food education, Rogue Food Unites has brought about numerous benefits to the area.
From strengthening the local economy and promoting social cohesion to mitigating food insecurity and fostering food resilience, they have proven to be a powerful catalyst for positive change.
As the platform continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly play a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of the Rogue Valley for generations to come.