Three Terrific Reasons to Start Sharing Locally-Grown Food

You will provide seniors and low-income families with access to healthy foods.

While canned and processed foods are the mainstay at food banks and senior meal program menus, healthier fresh fruits and vegetables are often missing. Starting a Backyard Harvest chapter will give the most vulnerable members of your community the chance to eat well, and avoid illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease that are linked to poor nutrition.

You will help the environment.

By relying on local food resources, Backyard Harvest chapters conserve energy and resources both in terms of less fuel for transportation and less packaging. We also encourage folks to rethink the land around their homes—advocating the incorporation of organic vegetable gardens to increase the amount of locally grown produce available.

You will build community.

Backyard Harvest chapters rely on the dedication, expertise and generosity of dozens of members of the communities in which they are located. They are truly “home-grown” efforts that instill a sense of pride and confidence that problems can be solved on a local level.

What We Will Provide

First, and foremost, we think that good ideas should be shared and spread around, so we are always First, and foremost, we think that good ideas should be shared and spread around, so we are always happy to give advice to any group interested in collecting produce within their community... whether they decide to become a Backyard Harvest chapter, or not. If you are interested in joining us, here are the things we can help out with:

• use of the Backyard Harvest trademark and logo
• personal mentorship and a complete program guide
• access to marketing materials customized for your community
• fundraising opportunities
• customized webpages for your group at www.backyardharvest.org

Here is the current fee structure for Backyard Harvest chapters. We are able to keep these costs so low, because foundations, businesses, and individuals have contributed to a matching fund to help expand our network, while allowing your community to focus its resources on the important work of gathering and distributing locally grown foods.

Annual Fees
$50 per year - License of Backyard Harvest trademark (note: proof of liability insurance coverage will be required before we can grant the license)
$250 per year - Internet services including email accounts and easily updateable chapter pages at www.backyardharvest.org

Resources Fees
$25 each - Customized Logo CD; Customized Marketing CD; Photo Archive CD
$25 - Backyard Harvest program guide (available as a .PDF download)

Ready to take the next step? Please fill out this application form and a preferred time for us to get in touch with you . . .