PROGRAMS THAT FEED OUR COMMUNITY

The Ashland Food Project created a door-to-door system with their neighbors to collect non-perishable food items every two months (even-numbered months). In October 2021, we launched our own Orcas Food Project. Here's how it works!

Started 8 years ago by a concerned parent, the WPK program provides healthy weekend food to K-8 students at no cost - enough for two breakfasts, two lunches and snacks.  It is a collaborative effort of the Food Bank, the Orcas Island School District and local markets.  Learn More! 

Through a farm credit program, we’re able to source lovely fresh produce and local meat from our favorite island farms! If you’ve never had any ground lamb from Lum farm, or mixed salad greens from Morning Star Farm, we hope you come in to grab some, and see what all the fuss is about! These purchases help to further the resiliency of our agricultural community here on Orcas Island, and promote fresh, nutritious, and humanely raised food options. 

Thousands of pounds of delicious local fruit are gleaned seasonally by volunteers, staff, and generous property owners. The San Juan Islands abound with native varietals of apples, pears, and plums—Kings and 20-oz Pippins to name a few. Come join us for one of our cider press events where we turn this amazing fruit into fresh island cider, or grab a box to take home for baking projects and school lunches! 

We have been working hard at getting more teens in the door during their lunch breaks, as well as coming in for an after-school snack. At the beginning of the school year we gave a presentation to the Orcas Island High School to educate them about social services, and how the Food Bank ties into this and into their lives. We encourage ALL teens to stop by the food bank to grab a snack or a lunch item. We are currently purchasing age-appropriate food items that have been teen tested and approved. Some of these items include: healthy snack bars, baked chips, sparkling water, ramen, and microwavable burritos.  Click here for more...

As part of our ongoing goal to foster a more equitable food system on the island, we offer a variety of products that honor different household food cultures and specific dietary needs. This includes, but is not limited to, Latinx food products; gluten free, dairy free, and vegan options; and food items for customers who have limited or no kitchen access. For example, we have a variety of microwavable meals that we heat up for customers who come in looking for something hot to eat. We are constantly searching for more products that reflect the diverse food needs of our customers. Click here for more...

To help with the growing need for food access on the island, the Orcas Island Food Bank has brought on more help through the AmeriCorps program. We are currently on our second term with AmeriCorps, and the help provided has been invaluable to the functioning of our Food Bank. We have seen a notable change in customer comfort with having consistent faces greeting our community at the door every day. AmeriCorps service members help run the day-to-day operations, work with and direct volunteers, participate in grocery rescue, and assist in all the in-between tasks that keep our operation running! We love our AmeriCorps, and look forward to continuing this program! If you have any questions about our AmeriCorps program please call (360) 376- 4445 or email us at orcasislandfoodbank@centurylink.net.

Orcas Island Market, the Orcas Food Co-op, and other local food distributers help close the gap on food waste by donating damaged, expired, or surplus goods to our organization. We then can offer all quality products back to islanders, and anything not suitable for people to happy pigs and chickens on local farms. This is an important way we can work together to contribute to a food system that will sustain and honor all forms of life here on Orcas Island!

Have you tried any of our soups? They’re amazing! We’re so lucky to be able to offer a rotating selection of nutritious and culturally relevant frozen soups. Made weekly at Camp Orkila by a talented local chef (Dylan Reboulet), these soups are fantastic options for seniors, families, customers who may not have extensive cooking options at home, or those folks who might just not feel like cooking something from scratch at the end of a hard day. These soups continually get rave reviews, and we’re really proud of this program, which additionally is an outlet for produce that may not look perfect but still tastes great!