In the Weeds

Three Portland Chefs Will Buy Farm Produce and Give it to Laid Off Restaurant Workers | Eater Portland

"Started by chef KBar of the pop-up Hummus Hang, Olivia Starkie of the Last Supper pop-up, and Josephine LaCosta of the independent catering company Elbow’s Catering, I found that this program purchases food directly from farms and provides it to unemployed restaurant workers. They are trying to raise $10,000 via GoFundMe to buy produce and other products from local farms and deliver them to around 60 people each month; applications will prioritize individuals who lost work due to COVID-19 (including those laid off or who lost work due to sickness) and the team is investigating ways to reach undocumented workers. Applications were planned to go live toward the end of April, and then twice a month In The Weeds will select 30 individuals to receive groceries; the team will deliver farm products including produce, eggs, and beans, using only one or two delivery drivers to limit contacts. They hope to start deliveries mid-to-late May, expect to operate with the three founders handling operations, and say the initial $10,000 goal will finance the operation through the summer and into early fall." - Alex Frane