Thank You to the Outdoor Art Club for Fueling ExtraFood’s Farmers Market and SOUPerFood Kitchen Work!
We are excited to announce that ExtraFood has received a generous grant from the Outdoor Art Club! This incredible support will allow us to expand our work at Marin farmers markets and our SOUPerFood Kitchen.
Thanks to the Outdoor Art Club’s grant, ExtraFood can now focus on two transformative projects:
- Expanding Our Farmers Market Partnerships
Farmers markets present a huge opportunity for ExtraFood to increase food rescue efforts by connecting with individual market vendors. We’re thrilled to work more closely with vendors at AIM and ACE Farmers’ Markets and build deeper relationships with these farmers and food producers to rescue even more fresh, nutritious food. With this grant, we’ll be able to collect thousands of pounds of produce each month—food that would otherwise go to waste—to support families, seniors, and individuals in need. - Boosting Capacity at Our SOUPerFood Kitchen
Our SOUPerFood Kitchen is a vital part of ExtraFood’s mission, repurposing hundreds of pounds of rescued, locally grown produce into healthy, hot meals for our community’s most vulnerable residents. Many of those we serve have disabilities or lack the facilities to prepare their own meals at home. With this grant, we can acquire essential kitchen equipment and supplies to expand our meal production, creating up to 500 additional meals each month and providing more nourishment to those in need.
Ambitious Goals, Lasting Impact
This initiative is not only a step toward alleviating hunger but also a step toward a sustainable food system, reducing food waste and increasing community resilience. The Outdoor Art Club’s grant will help ExtraFood:
- Prevent 3.5 million pounds of edible food from going to landfills, which in turn prevents 73.4 million pounds of CO2 emissions and saves 234 million gallons of water.
- Recruit and Train 40 new farmers market volunteers, 5 market team leaders, and 20 kitchen volunteers to collect, sort, and repurpose surplus food.
- Build Lasting Partnerships with AIM and ACE Farmers’ Markets, creating dedicated spaces for ExtraFood volunteers at each market and fostering new opportunities for produce gleaning and food rescue.
- Increase Community Outreach on waste reduction, emergency preparedness, and food recovery through farmers markets, schools, and community events.
This project will have a far-reaching impact on the lives of people throughout Marin. By rescuing over 3,000 pounds of fresh produce each week from farmers markets, we can create over 2,000 nutritious meals per month for food-insecure residents, deliver 2.9 million meals annually, and support 10,000+ Marin residents struggling with hunger. Our expanded volunteer network and kitchen capacity will also strengthen our ability to serve the community during climate-related emergencies, helping us reach remote and underserved areas during times of crisis.
Building a Stronger Food Safety Net with the Outdoor Art Club
The Outdoor Art Club’s community grant is making all of this possible. These funds will cover the costs of recruiting, training, and equipping our new volunteers, providing them with the tools and materials they need to collect, sort, and transport rescued produce. The grant will also allow us to purchase additional kitchen equipment—tools, pots, pans, and refrigeration—to expand our SouperFood Kitchen’s capacity and prepare more meals than ever before.
With the Outdoor Art Club’s support, we are energized to deepen our impact and create a sustainable, lasting solution to hunger in Marin County. Thank you, Outdoor Art Club, for your partnership and belief in our mission. Together, we’re making a difference—one meal, one family, one community at a time.