Community Connections
We aim to increase the opportunities for all community members to get involved with local, sustainable farming. Grinnell Farm to Table does this by partnering with local groups, such as MICA and the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce to increase awareness through events and educational opportunities.
Our community partners help us identify members of our community who might be in need of our services. We then follow up with their referral to make sure GFTT is a good fit. If it is, we provide them with a bi-weekly food box filled with local products from a variety of local and regional producers. We also identify and help reduce other barriers, such as cooking equipment and cooking with local food.
GFTT and community members working together to create a Thanksgiving food box made entirely of local products for families facing food insecurity.
Meet our Local COMMUNITY partners
Social Entrepreneurs of Grinnell
The Social Entrepreneurs of Grinnell (SEG) is a 501(c)(3) microfinance nonprofit located in Grinnell, Iowa, that seeks to empower individuals through microloans internationally and locally. In Spring of 2015, SEG reorganized to become a community-based volunteer organization and continues to provide small zero-interest loans to those who have an emergency need.
Mid-iowa community action
Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc. (MICA) is a private, nonprofit organization serving children and families in central Iowa. MICA provides early childhood, health, family development, and housing services as well as community enrichment programs. MICA, in collaboration with other community partners, leads efforts to strengthen families and communities.
Grinnell ministerial association
Grinnell Ministerial Association is a small organization in the membership organizations industry located in Grinnell, IA. It opened its doors in 2008 as a community resource for those needing support. The organization calls to love all, and widen the circle of compassion.
Station clubhouse
The Station Clubhouse is dedicated to the recovery of men and women with mental illness by providing opportunities for our members to live, work and learn while contributing their talents through a community of mutual support.
UNITY POINT HEALTH - GRINNELL
UnityPoint Health - Grinnell is a private, nonprofit, non-tax supported hospital with 49 beds and clinics that serves more than 47,000 residents in Poweshiek, Jasper, Benton, Iowa, Mahaska and Tama counties. With about 50 physicians and advanced practice clinicians and 400 employees, we are the largest hospital in Iowa between Des Moines and Iowa City. Like health care itself, we are always evolving and growing to meet the needs of area residents. From birth to end-of-life, we provide big city medicine with small town hospitality. We are dedicated to living our mission to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.
FOod recovery network
Food Recovery Network is a national organization with a Grinnell College chapter. The campus group is dedicated to recovering surpluses of food from the dining hall and around campus, and distributing the food to community partners as well as directly to those in need.