Farm to Foodbank
Feeding Communities, Growing Farms
Program Strengthens Local Farms While Nourishing Ohio Families
The Feeding Communities, Growing Farms initiative is a bold response to food insecurity and rural economic strain. The program is a collaborative effort between Oberlin Food Hub, Wayward Seed Farm and their network of organic farmers around the region, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, and philanthropic funders. Building on the success of the federally supported Ohio CAN (Community, Agriculture, Nutrition) program, our Farm to Foodbank model connects small and mid-sized farms with Ohio’s food banks—ensuring fresh, local produce reaches families in need while guaranteeing fair market prices for growers.
Ohio CAN was the backbone for this work providing tremendous opportunity to invest federal funds in food system development. That award-winning approach is about more than a distribution channel—it’s a catalyst for regional food equity. This network of growers, powered by strong partnerships, has delivered over 4.2 million pounds of farm-fresh food—more than 100 full truckloads—to communities across Ohio.
By investing over $700,000 in advance payments directly into small farms (under 150 acres), our collaborative efforts under Ohio CAN empower producers to plan, grow, and thrive. With more than $3.6 million injected into rural economies, the ripple effect is clear: stronger farms, stronger communities.
As we continue our expansion into urban markets and local grocery retail, your support helps us scale this transformative model—bridging the gap between healthy food access and a thriving regional food system.