The concept of Neighborhood Food Projects was developed in Ashland, Oregon in 2009. Since then, over 50 Food Projects have been started throughout the country.
The Issaquah Sammamish Food Project is following the established formula and had our first donor pick up in June 2019.
A small group of residents met that spring to discuss the concept and agreed to begin with a pilot project to assess the interest and viability of the concept in our community.
We have four goals:
- To provide a consistent, reliable supply of food to neighbors in need
- To make it easy for people to donate to our local Food Bank
- To create new neighborhood connections and strengthen the community
- To serve as a model for other communities in the Puget Sound area
Armed with brochures explaining the simplicity of the program, Issaquah Sammamish Food Project Neighborhood Coordinators have begun knocking on doors, inviting neighbors to participate. Whenever people said “Yes,” the Neighborhood Coordinators supplied them with the signature green bag and suggested that they buy just one extra nonperishable food item each shopping trip and store it at home. They will return to the donor’s home every two months, pick up the food bag and deliver it to the Food Bank.