The mission of Huerto de la Familia (The Family Garden) is to offer Latino families in Lane County a place to connect with their roots and the earth by growing their own food while becoming more economically self-sufficient.

By the end of the October 2013, 100 percent of families in our Organic Garden Education Program will increase the amount of vegetables/fruits in their diets, and decrease the amount they spend on food purchases. This will be achieved by growing their own food in a community garden plot. We will measure the results by an end of the year evaluation and interviews.

Food is a necessity of life. However, there are many people living in our community that struggle to put food on the table. Studies indicate that the rate of food insecurity among Latino immigrants in Oregon is at least one in four.  Sixty-four percent of families in our programs are food insecure. However, the majority of families we serve do not receive SNAP (food stamps). A graduate student at the University of Oregon recently conducted an in depth study of the Organic Garden Education Program. In it she writes," ...it was clear that the need to be more food secure influenced many of the families to participate in Huerto. According to one woman, Ana, when asked why she decided to participate in Huerto her response was simple and direct,' to be able to eat....it is difficult to eat healthy in the United States without help.' " There is a need for Latino immigrants to have a longer-term solution to food security. Growing and preserving their own food is a solution to this need.

We are currently seeking $6,000 to support the general operating costs of our Organic Garden Education Program to support 60 families in becoming more self-sufficient; to increase their access to nutritious food, thereby improving their food security and overall health; and to enable families to save money on their grocery bill.