Page 54 - Southern Oregon Magazine Summer 2021

neck of the woods | community
Meet local
Farmers
July 18th
www.roguevalleyfarmtour.com
Brought to you by:
Gallerie Karon & Gallerie Menagerie
Specializing in African and Asian
with the Animals you love and more.
See us at our new location
300 E Main St on the Corner of 2nd and E Main • 541-482-9008 www.RogueFoodUnites.org
discovergalleriekaron.com
52 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2021
restrictions or who are residing in less populated temporary housing.
The pandemic has complicated distribution, for all food must be single-
serve as opposed to hosting a group table. These goals are accomplished
through the collaboration of RFU and its partners—over 100 organiza-
tions, from businesses to restaurants to grocers to non-profits. (See the
list on their website)
Melissa McMillan, owner and chef at Sammich in Ashland, is a partner
restaurant and a big fan. She attests that Rogue Food Unites is the reason
many restaurants are still open, and hails them as a group that helps “the
little guys.” Sammich does lunches twice a week, about 400 meals total,
depending on the need.
RFU’s programs help local restaurants stay in business, restaurants
workers keep working and paying their bills, local farms keep farming,
and displaced residents impacted by the fires receive support both nutri-
tionally and emotionally. RFU pays participating farms to provide fresh,
flavorful, local ingredients to restaurants who are paid to prepare the
food. As a result, the region’s food system remains strong and intact.
Statistically, a good portion of revenue from local independent restau-
rants recirculates in the local economy, allowing RFU’s assistance to have
even greater community impact.
What started as small idea to meet an immediate need, has grown to be a
big idea to meet continued needs. The impact is dramatic. Over 609,000
meals have been served, and multi-county collaborations formed. Since
its inception, Rogue Food Unites has spent nearly $9 million to feed
people by supporting local food businesses, farms, restaurants, gro-
cery stores, and local food producers. They currently have 17 full-time
employees, and are expanding into other counties—Josephine, Klamath,
Douglas, Curry, and Deschutes. “It’s been really rewarding to connect
with so many people,” says North. She notes that it’s pretty amazing
when you consider all that’s been accomplished in about ten months.
Now a non-profit, RFU will continue to help people in crisis and dealing
with emergencies. Trauma is multi-layered, not a single problem with a
single answer. It takes many individuals, groups, and agencies to step in,
and RFU is more than pleased to be part of the solution.
“It is our mission to serve people who are experiencing crisis,” says
Amber Ferguson, another RFU director. “We make sure we are a diverse
and equitable organization.” They show up for the community in the
same way, providing culturally appropriate food and meeting people
where they are at the moment. While no one welcomes crisis, out of
this terrible tragedy was created a community that serves another com-
munity. They do not view themselves as a charitable organization, but
as a group that cares and reaches out to serve others, a group that will
continue far beyond the crisis that fostered its formation.
RFU partners with the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department
of Human Services, and raises funds through crowdsourcing and grants,
as well as depending on donations from individuals and businesses. They
would greatly appreciate your help. Check the website to donate. ($250
will ensure that three families are fed today.)