Welcome to

The Beet Food System

Empowering communities through local food, education, and collaboration to create a resilient and equitable food system in Coos County.

Our Programs

About Us

The Beet Food System

Our programs connect food producers and community members in order to promote farm and garden education, and increase access to fresh locally sourced food for all.

Our Mission

The Beet Food System works to cultivate an accessible, thriving local food system rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to nourishing food.

Our Vision

We envision a Coos County where community members and local producers are connected and invested in one another, fostering a more resilient food system.

Get involved

Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering your time to one of our programs, please email Tim at outreach@thebeetfscorg. Thank you!

Donate to The Beet

We could not continue our work without the support of our community. Donations of any amount allow us to continue to do this work and deepen our impact.

Click here to support our programs!

Join Our Team!

We are not currently hiring, but keep an eye out for job positions in the future.

Our Programs

Food System Education

In collaboration with several community partners including Southwestern Oregon Community College, Lady Bug Landing Community Gardens, and Oregon Agricultural Trust, The Beet hosts Community Food System Education workshops throughout the year. Topics range from Beginniner Gardening, Composting Basics, Harvesting, Pest Management, Cooking and Fermentation, Farm Financials, and more.

Attendees learn from local experts, gain hands on experience, and leave with free resources to get started.

These events run throughout the year, though are most frequent spring through fall.

Keep an eye on our “Events” page to learn all about upcoming Community Food System workshops!

For more information, or to get involved, email Tim at outreach@thebeetfsc.org.

Community Fridge

Free produce for all every day!

The Community Fridge was the first program to come out of The Beet Food System. Through community collaboration and listening sessions, it was identified as a need in our community.

Anyone can access the community fridge during library hours and receive fresh produce to take home. The library also offers recipes and cooking classes to help support education around how to prepare nutritious foods.

The Beet Food System collaborates with, and pays farmers to source a variety of local foods and support the needs of local producers.

Coos Bay Public Library Hours

Monday – Friday: 10:00am-6:00pm |

Fri: 10:00pm-6:00pm | Sat: 12:00pm-6:00pm

Contact

541-269-1101 | 525 Anderson Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420

More information can be found on the library website

Double Up Food Bucks

Have an EBT card?
Double up Food Bucks (DUFB) was implemented at Cooshead Food Co-op in collaboration with The Beet Food System in 2023. DUFB is a state program which allows SNAP food benefits users who purchase fresh produce in the co-op, to receive a price match voucher up to $20 to use on their next produce purchase.

Learn more about Double-Up Food Bucks

Bandon Farm to Families

In collaboration with The Bandon Youth Center and Valley Flora Farm, Bandon Farm to Families gives free locally grown vegetables from Valley Flora Farm to Bandon Youth Center families and the larger Bandon community.

Farm to Family events run from August through October. Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming events.

Follow the links to learn more about The Bandon Youth Center and Valley Flora Farm

Coos Food Project

Coos Food Project is based on the Neighborhood Food Project that began in Ashland Oregon. Every month, participants fill a reusable tote bag with needed donation items that are collected by volunteer drivers and dropped off to designated pantries in our community.

We currently donate to Bandon Youth Center, Bandon Good Neighbors, Coos Food Cupboard, and the SDA Food Pantry in Coos Bay.

To donate to The Coos Food Project, email outreach@thebeetfsc.org

Our Goals

Collaborate with Community

Partner with community members and community-based organizations to decrease food insecurity in Coos County.

Support local agriculture

Collaborate with local producers to ensure that they have access to resources necessary for their success and longevity.

Advocate for policy change

Advocate for policies on a local and state level that support sustainable food systems and end food insecurity.

Increase food access

Create and support programs that ensure community members have access to food, especially locally sourced, nutritious food.

Promote farm and garden education

Advocate for policies on a local and state level that support sustainable food systems and end food insecurity.

Our Values

Equity and inclusivity

We recognize that an equitable food system involves confronting systemic inequalities and advocating for food justice.

Community empowerment

We acknowledge that our community, especially historically underserved groups, need representation and influence in our decision-making processes.

Education

We teach others to nourish their bodies with nutritious fresh foods while also caring for the land.

Resilience

We promote sustainable agriculture, support local food producers and economies, prioritize fair compensation, and advocate for equitable access to nutritious food.