MISSION - The mission of the CFA is to facilitate and promote healthy, local, sustainable food production and consumption.

HISTORY - The CFA is the parent organization for the Brownsville Farmers Market, the Brownsville Community Gardens, and the Central Linn Schools Teaching Gardens.The Calapooia Food Alliance was born in April, 2005, the result of a community panel discussion of local food sustainability. We initially organized and incorporated in July of 2006 as the Brownsville Coop. The goals were to establish a farmers market and community garden to provide an immediate source of fresh local produce, and then to open a natural foods store. By spring of 2008, the Brownsville Farmers Market and the Community Garden were beginning their third season. The idea of a store was abandoned and in March we registered articles of incorporation as the nonprofit Calapooia Food Alliance (CFA). Nonprofit status was granted in the summer of 2009.

USDA GRANT - 2009 was also the beginning of paid positions for the Farmers Market Manager and Community Garden Manager. In April of 2009, we applied for a USDA, Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant. In October, 2009, that request was granted with funding over two years of $44,488. That grant has allowed us to establish an on-line farmers market to serve Brownsville, Lebanon, Scio, and Sweet Home – WillametteLocalFoods.com.

Grant money also allows us to sustain a weekly presence in the local newspaper, The Times, which serves to educate the local community about food issues. We are developing a new website, Brownsville-FarmersMarket.org and updating the existing CFA website, gocfa.org. In the summer of 2010, we began exploring the implementation of Teaching Gardens in the local Central Linn schools with the selection of a steering committee. Our Munch Night series of meetings with food and discussion of local food topics has supported local eateries and continues to raise awareness in the community about supporting local food.

GIVING - Membership dues and other grants support the Community Garden which provides a place for anyone in the community to create his/her own garden. In addition, a portion of the garden is truly a "community" garden, maintained by the Garden Manager and volunteers from the community. Food from this garden, as well as excess food from the Farmers Market is donated to Sharing Hands (the local food bank) and to the Senior Meals on Wheels.

VOLUNTEERS - Volunteers are the heart of the CFA, not only as Directors, but at the Farmers Market, in the Community Garden, and in planning and developing the Teaching Gardens. If you would like to participate, contact CFA President Kathleen Swayze, Farmers Market Manager, Marilyn Peterson, Community Garden Organizer, Anne Stein, or Teaching Garden Organizer, Marcia Rae. You will find their contact information on the Contact page.

CFA MINUTES - Please click here to view all Calapooia Food Alliance's Minutes.