Chris Brockel spent 10 years as the Food and Gardens Manager at the Community Action Coalition advocating on behalf of the food insecure in Madison. Chris recently left the CAC to become the Executive Director of Fairshare CSA Coalition. While his mission has now broadened to supporting local farmers as well as connecting the community with local growers through community supported agriculture, he remains dedicated to providing access to locally sourced fresh produce to lower income families and individuals. His ideas are creative and innovative and are mutually beneficial for farmers as well as those who need food assistance.
As fuel prices, housing costs and other cost of living expenses increase, salaries and jobs have not. Feeding families has become more and more of a challenge for the average middle income family, let alone those who live at or below the federal poverty level. These folks, the working poor, those living on fixed incomes for whatever reason; have to use food pantries just to make ends meet. Some people have come to rely solely on food pantries for all or most of their weekly groceries. The average American diet is heavily supplemented with highly processed foods loaded with sugars, fats, and refined carbohydrates. As a result, Dane County is not unique in dealing with a public health crisis. People who seek food assistance from local food pantries might have access to highly refined foods, but are finding it a challenge to find healthy fresh foods, like fruits or vegetables.
Chris Brockel has a vision of a system that connects families and individuals with local farmers, providing access to healthy foods for those who need it most while supporting our local farmers.
Fairshare CSA connects local “organic” farmers with the community. Brockel envisions this access to be all inclusive. Fairshare is breaking down the barriers for lower income families. The solution benefits farmers as well as the community. Here is how it works. The program is called “Partner Shares.”
“Many families who want to eat fresh, healthy, local food are unable to afford the up-front payment for CSA shares. Partner Shares helps by sharing some of that cost,” said Program Director Erika Jones. “Past participants have said the financial support is critical in making fresh produce affordable and helping their families to eat healthier.”
In addition to providing assistance toward farm membership costs, FairShare works with eligible participants to set up payment plans using checks or SNAP (food stamp) benefits as payment. Income eligibility for the program is determined using federal and state poverty level guidelines. The application deadline is April 15th, although fund assistance is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Brockel explains that this program comes with some challenges.
According to Brockel, that last spring, Fairshare spent about $96,000 to subsidize this program and by late summer, they were able to re-coup about $63,000. “FairShare puts out nearly $100,000 in farm payments in the spring and usually collect about 2/3 of it back, so it is a losing proposition for us, but our board and farmers are 100% behind the program so it won't go away. Obviously, if folks want to donate to help us out we would appreciate it.” Chris adds, “This is a very dignified way to get healthy foods into low income households and creates a direct farm to consumer relationship....just an idea.” Brockel was proud that the Fairshare board and Fairshare farmers have committed to this program whether profitable or not. “This is part of our social justice piece. We care about people.”
Brockel talked about transitioning from working with food pantries and the food insecure to working with farmers and the broader community. “I think for me it takes the food movement to that step that provides access to food pantries for local fresh healthy foods. This niche that would be an alternative and complimentary to what other food banks are currently providing. It keeps me involved in the local food system and our family farms are the integral part of this food system and our goal is to connect people directly with farmers, creating mutually beneficial relationships.”
Brockel believes that by connecting lower income Dane County families directly to growers is a more dignified way of getting food on the table. Brockel believes that there is nothing wrong with going to a food pantry. “ … but this is a better way to get healthy food – connect farmers and eaters – the community has a better appreciation of the farmer and we are reducing the demand on food pantries, because people are getting better food somewhere else.”
Fairshare CSA has 51 endorsed farms. They are all listed on Fairshare’s website. Full CSA shares typically cost $500 - $600, but smaller households or those feeling a bit less adventurous can choose ½ share options. For eligible households, Partner Shares can pay a portion of the CSA share, up to $300 per family. Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Partner Shares participants contribute $150-$400 depending on the farm and quantity of vegetables.
Participants can pay the remaining balance with a single payment, multiple payments, and/or with SNAP benefits. For more information, email [email protected] or call (608) 226-0300.
“The Partner Shares Program allowed me to enjoy fresh vegetables all season long which I would not have been able to afford without the help of this program. I’ve also been losing a bit of weight and it feels great. Thank you Partner Shares!” -2011 Partner Shares Participant
As fuel prices, housing costs and other cost of living expenses increase, salaries and jobs have not. Feeding families has become more and more of a challenge for the average middle income family, let alone those who live at or below the federal poverty level. These folks, the working poor, those living on fixed incomes for whatever reason; have to use food pantries just to make ends meet. Some people have come to rely solely on food pantries for all or most of their weekly groceries. The average American diet is heavily supplemented with highly processed foods loaded with sugars, fats, and refined carbohydrates. As a result, Dane County is not unique in dealing with a public health crisis. People who seek food assistance from local food pantries might have access to highly refined foods, but are finding it a challenge to find healthy fresh foods, like fruits or vegetables.
Chris Brockel has a vision of a system that connects families and individuals with local farmers, providing access to healthy foods for those who need it most while supporting our local farmers.
Fairshare CSA connects local “organic” farmers with the community. Brockel envisions this access to be all inclusive. Fairshare is breaking down the barriers for lower income families. The solution benefits farmers as well as the community. Here is how it works. The program is called “Partner Shares.”
“Many families who want to eat fresh, healthy, local food are unable to afford the up-front payment for CSA shares. Partner Shares helps by sharing some of that cost,” said Program Director Erika Jones. “Past participants have said the financial support is critical in making fresh produce affordable and helping their families to eat healthier.”
In addition to providing assistance toward farm membership costs, FairShare works with eligible participants to set up payment plans using checks or SNAP (food stamp) benefits as payment. Income eligibility for the program is determined using federal and state poverty level guidelines. The application deadline is April 15th, although fund assistance is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Brockel explains that this program comes with some challenges.
According to Brockel, that last spring, Fairshare spent about $96,000 to subsidize this program and by late summer, they were able to re-coup about $63,000. “FairShare puts out nearly $100,000 in farm payments in the spring and usually collect about 2/3 of it back, so it is a losing proposition for us, but our board and farmers are 100% behind the program so it won't go away. Obviously, if folks want to donate to help us out we would appreciate it.” Chris adds, “This is a very dignified way to get healthy foods into low income households and creates a direct farm to consumer relationship....just an idea.” Brockel was proud that the Fairshare board and Fairshare farmers have committed to this program whether profitable or not. “This is part of our social justice piece. We care about people.”
Brockel talked about transitioning from working with food pantries and the food insecure to working with farmers and the broader community. “I think for me it takes the food movement to that step that provides access to food pantries for local fresh healthy foods. This niche that would be an alternative and complimentary to what other food banks are currently providing. It keeps me involved in the local food system and our family farms are the integral part of this food system and our goal is to connect people directly with farmers, creating mutually beneficial relationships.”
Brockel believes that by connecting lower income Dane County families directly to growers is a more dignified way of getting food on the table. Brockel believes that there is nothing wrong with going to a food pantry. “ … but this is a better way to get healthy food – connect farmers and eaters – the community has a better appreciation of the farmer and we are reducing the demand on food pantries, because people are getting better food somewhere else.”
Fairshare CSA has 51 endorsed farms. They are all listed on Fairshare’s website. Full CSA shares typically cost $500 - $600, but smaller households or those feeling a bit less adventurous can choose ½ share options. For eligible households, Partner Shares can pay a portion of the CSA share, up to $300 per family. Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Partner Shares participants contribute $150-$400 depending on the farm and quantity of vegetables.
Participants can pay the remaining balance with a single payment, multiple payments, and/or with SNAP benefits. For more information, email [email protected] or call (608) 226-0300.
“The Partner Shares Program allowed me to enjoy fresh vegetables all season long which I would not have been able to afford without the help of this program. I’ve also been losing a bit of weight and it feels great. Thank you Partner Shares!” -2011 Partner Shares Participant