Community Roots

The purpose of The Community Roots Program is to develop a local charitable food system that increases produce donations at area food assistance facilities, reduces green house gases by lowering food miles, promotes healthy eating habits for low income households, and establishes a stronger more self sufficient community.

Description:
How it works.... The volunteers of Community Roots help backyard gardeners, fruit tree owners, and small farmers deliver their extra fruits and veggies to food assistance facilities by providing a free pick-up and delivery service.

Just last fall The Community Roots Program partnered with a group of neighbors in Coeur d'Alene's Downtown Garden District to plan and implement our town's first Community Garden "Shared Harvest". Located on the corner of 10th and Foster the garden sits on 3 vacant lots and is home to more than 50 rental plots. Community Roots volunteers will be tending a large donation plot at the garden where all of the food that is grown will be donated to food assistance facilities.

We have partnered with over 13 different facilities in the area for produce delivery. To name a few: The Cd'A Food Bank, The Women's Shelter, St. Vincent De Paul Transitional Homes, Idaho Youth Ranch Anchor House, Lake City Senior Center and Maggie's House.

History:
The Community Roots Program was started in the Spring of 2007 and in just the last two years has donated more than 7,000 lbs. of fresh nutritious produce to feed the hungry. There are many areas of the program that need volunteers:

• Sign up for a weekly bicycle produce delivery route.
• Spend a couple hours a week tending the Community Roots Donation Plot at the Shared Harvest Community Garden.
• Lend a hand this summer at a local fruit tree harvest.
• Help us spread the word by handing out fliers to family, friends, and neighbors.

To find out more about how you can get involved, send us an e-mail or give us a call.

Contact person: Korrine Kreilkamp, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

408 Sherman Avenue Ste 301 Coeur D'Alene, ID 83814 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.kealliance.org/community-outreach/community-roots

Last updated on May 1, 2009