Helping Farms Feed Families

The Tanaka Farms Helping Farms Feed Families (501c3) initiative!

History

This nonprofit is being formed as an expansion program of Orange Coast Optimist Helping Farms Feed Families which was initially formed to work with local farms to get their extra produce to local food banks. Unfortunately, the program got sidetracked with a major fundraiser Walk the Farm which was started after the earthquake/tsunami hit the northeast coast of Japan on March 11, 2011 and wiped-out thousands of farms along the fertile coast.

Purpose of the nonprofit - Educate the public about agriculture and train and help new farmers enter the world of agriculture.

Programs

Barnyard Educational Exhibit at Tanaka Farms - Showcasing farm animals from the community will provide the opportunity for young people to act as docents and interact and teach thousands of students and families about the role of animals in agriculture. A portion of the admission fee goes directly to Helping Farms Feeding Families to support their community programs.

Urban Farming - With many small vacant plots available in every neighborhood, these areas provide the perfect opportunity to bring the farm to local neighborhoods to educate and feed them. We are currently working on proof of concept to see actual costs and to train a lead farmer to oversee the project. Produce from each project will be sold to provide some source of funds to sustain the project and also to provide to local food pantries and food banks.

During the Corona Virus Pandemic, there were many families in need of a helping hand, as well as many local farmers and food makers that were also struggling due to a decrease in business.

With the generous support of:
Tanaka Farms
Helping Farms Feed Families (501c3)
OCO's Walk the Farm (501c3)

& Donations from awesome folks like you!

Along with the generous donations of fresh produce from:
Manaserro Farms

And as a way to support local businesses such as:
Old Town Baking Company 
Batista Family Farm Milk 
Family Tree Produce
Chef Adam Navidi of Oceans and Earth Restaurant

We were able to source enough fresh, high-quality food to give Community Care Packages to over 3500 families in need during the COVID-19 crisis… free of charge.