Submitted by Eileen Frazer

Nourish to Flourish is a coalition dedicated to ending hunger on San Juan Island. Composed of community leaders including the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center, San Juan County Health and Community Services, Friday Harbor Food Bank, San Juan Island Farmers Market, San Juan Island Food Co-op, and Island Air the goal is to make healthy food more affordable and help low-income families stretch their food dollars.

Fresh Bucks is one program that helps those who qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program buy more produce by giving them a 50% off discount on all fresh fruits and vegetables at the San Juan Island Co-op up to $20 off or providing up to $20 additional to buy fresh produce, meat, eggs, and other SNAP-eligible foods when shopping at the San Juan Island Farmers Market.

In 2020, thanks to the generosity of the San Juan Island Community Foundation and local donors over 110 Fresh Bucks customers received $8,142 off their grocery bills and over $26,000 was spent on local food and supporting local farms. This was an increase over the previous year with many in our community experiencing layoffs and job loss.If you or someone you know is interested in enrolling in the Fresh Bucks program please call the Health Department 360-378-4474 or the Family Resource Center 360-378-5246.

Nourish to Flourish depends entirely on donations. The Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor recently donated $5000.00 to Fresh Backs so that we can continue to support food access. We are asking the community for donations to match this generous donation in increments of $5, $50, $100, $250 or $500. Your donations will help to support our efforts throughout 2021.

Please click on the donate button on the website www.nourishtoflourishwa.org or give through the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center by noting Fresh Bucks on your donation. Every donation is 100% for food. As we struggle through this pandemic, remember your neighbors and friends who may need help accessing nourishing food.