Community Food and Agriculture Coalition

FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM - DOUBLE SNAP DOLLARS (DSD)CFAC works to increase the overall market share of local food by growing opportunities for all Montanans to purchase local food, including coordinating the Double SNAP Dollars program, Produce Prescription Statewide Network, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and farmers market development. CFAC served nearly 9,000 Montanans and recirculated over $1.5 million to our local farmers, ranchers, and farmers markets through the Double SNAP Dollars (DSD) program, doubling benefits for SNAP recipients at farmers markets in 31 locations, and 12 Networks Partners. CFAC served 1663 seniors within 15 Montana Communities by providing market coupons that were utilized at 182 farms. CFAC developed a network of healthcare facilities to distribute Produce Prescription incentives dollars in the coming year.

FARMLAND CONSERVATION/LAND USE ADVOCACYCFAC continues to be a leading voice in the effort to protect farmland in western Montana. We hold a permanent seat on the Missoula City/County Food Policy Advisory Board, increasing our ability to make change in land use, food access and more at the policy level. We are collaborating with Missoula County to develop a conservation servitude program to enhance protection of smaller acreage farmland.

BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS PROGRAMTo ensure that conserved land is actively used for production, CFAC supports new and early-stage farmers in accessing farmland and launching successful farm businesses through workshops, resources, and collaboration with more than 30 statewide service providers. CFAC hosted workshops and trainings for over 500 beginning farmers and ranchers, through our Certified Farmer Startup Program and on-farm success workshops. CFAC distributed $100,000 in equipment mini-grants to 26 farmers and developed 11 Podcast episodes to highlight lessons learned.