Community Food Initiatives (CFI) is a membership-based, grassroots organization sowing the seeds of self-reliance in Appalachian Ohio. Since 1992, CFI has embraced a mission of building and supporting a local food movement that expands fair access to fresh and nutritious food for all people in our region.
Sowing the seeds...
CFI’s programming focuses on three major program areas: Community Gardens/Food and Gardening Education, the Donation Station, and Farm to Cafeteria/Edible Schoolyards. Our many initiatives assist individuals and families in need to secure and grow food, develop self-sufficiency skills and become “nutritionally literate” on issues of hunger, health and sustainability.
Our ‘food for all’ work is supported by regional farmers, local food producers, and community gardeners who contribute fresh produce and locally produced foods to our Donation Station. Our 2011 Appalachian Foodways Workshop Series provides people and institutions with hands-on education in food production, preparation and preservation, and community gardening, along with training, mentoring and networking opportunities. We also help facilitate the inclusion of fresh and whole foods within school menus. CFI’s work engages school children, gardeners of all ages, volunteers, and our many collaborative partners as we collectively build a more just and sustainable local food system.
Currently, CFI primarily serves Athens County, Ohio, one of the poorest in the nation, with 34.7% of our neighbors living below the poverty line, compared to 15.1% in Ohio and 14.3% in the U.S.
CFI STAFF: Ronda Clark, Executive Director; Lisa Trocchia-Balkits, Program Director Community Gardens/Food & Garden Education; Badger Johnson, AmeriCorps/Program Coordinator, Community Gardens/Food & Gardens Education; Duane Bogart, Program Director, Donation Station; Nick Welch, AmeriCorps /Program Coordinator, Donation Station; and Cindy Parker, Coordinator Farm to Cafeteria/Edible Schoolyards
CFI BOARD: President: Tom Redfern, Rural Action‘s Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator; Treasurer: Nancy Pierce, Community Member; Secretary: Barb Nakanishi, Dietitian, O’Bleness Memorial Hospital; Greg Broadhurst, Arborist; Maureen Burns-Hooker, Owner/CEO Herbal Sage Tea Company; Lee Gregg, Community Member & Master Gardener; Milena Miller, Appalachian Community Health Services; Don H. Shamblin, Retired Professor, Ohio University; Penny Shelton, Family Doctor; and Natalie Woodroofe, 30 Mile Meal Project Manager
MEMBERSHIP – It takes a community to make systematic change. Our members support our work, helping us maintain and grow our efforts. To become a member, you can download our CFI Membership Form 2011. We also have many opportunities to support us through volunteer work. Give us a call.
HOW TO FIND US
We are located at 94 Columbus Rd., Athens, Ohio
Tel: 740.593.5971
Email: cfi@frognet.net
We are located in the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks’ (ACEnet) complex. Building C is the first one you see pulling into the driveway. Enter through the grey door by the loading dock. Once inside, go through the door on the right. Then turn left, take right turn down the hallway, and find our office on the left.