May 2025 Newsletter
Community Meeting
On April 22nd, we celebrated Earth Day alongside our Quarterly Community Food Council Meeting — and what a wonderful gathering it was! Held at the Masonic Hall, the event brought together around 30 community members, including new faces and longtime partners, all committed to strengthening our local food system.
We enjoyed a delicious spread of locally sourced food, showcasing the incredible bounty of our region and supporting our local producers. Together, we reflected on recent project successes, shared updates on ongoing initiatives, and gathered valuable input to help shape the work ahead.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this meaningful day of connection, collaboration, and celebration of our shared commitment to a healthier, more resilient Del Norte & Tribal Lands community!
Farmers Market Starts June 4th!
We’re so excited to kick off the Downtown Crescent City Farmers Market season on June 4th! Come enjoy fresh local produce, handmade goods, kids’ activities, and live music by The Way Outs — plus a chance to meet your favorite farmers and food makers.
Mark your calendars — it’s going to be a beautiful day of food, music, and connection!
Did you know that the Downtown Crescent City Farmers Market is the only Certified Farmers Market in Crescent City? That means we are the only market in Del Norte that has fresh fruits and vegetables for sale that are certified by our agricultural commissioner that they are grown in Del Norte. Additionally because we are a Certified Market, it means we can offer nutrition incentive programs to help your dollars go further at the farmers market. Nutrition incentive programs at the farmers market include, EBT and Market Match Program, Rx Dollars from Open Door Community Health Clinic, and WIC and Senior Nutrition programs. Stop by the Market Manager booth to learn more about how you can access fresh fruits and vegetables at the Downtown Crescent City Farmers Market.
Where and When is the Downtown Farmers Market?
Every Wednesday from June-October 9am-2pm, across from the Post Office at 240 H St. (in the parking lot) in the heart of downtown Crescent City!
Don’t miss the first market of the season, June 4th as we kick off our new location and new market management.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development (BFRD)
The first cohort of the Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program has successfully completed its initial phase of training, which included both classroom instruction and hands-on field days at local farms. Participants are now moving into internships and mentorships to gain practical experience working alongside established farmers. In early fall, the cohort will begin a new round of business training, during which they’ll develop both a farm production plan and a comprehensive farm business plan. By combining classroom learning, real-world experience, and planning support, BFRDP is equipping the next generation of farmers with the tools to build a climate-resilient local food system. Recruitment for the Fall 2025 cohort will begin soon—stay tuned for more details!
Del Norte Field Day RecapIn April, 26 participants joined us for an inspiring Del Norte Field Day at Elkhorn Herbals and the Yurok Tribal Food Sovereignty Garden. From learning about seeding and transplanting to installing irrigation systems, attendees gained hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture. A big thank you to Wild Rivers Market for providing a delicious locally sourced lunch!
Del Norte Field Day at Elkhorn Herbals
Del Norte Field Day at Yurok Food Village
School Gardens
Del Norte School Garden was awarded the California Department of Food and Agriculture 2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. Cultivating Healthy Schools, the name of our project, is finally in the works. We are creating an accessible garden based curriculum, mapping the infrastructure needed in each garden, planning mobile kitchens for each site, informational signage, and educational workshops for teachers and staff, through the LIfeLab program.
We are extremely excited about what our work has become. We started small, as part of the immense work Klamath Promise Neighbor is doing in our county. Today we are a functional educational space in 5 schools, reaching more than 250 students a week.
We want to thank all who have supported our dream; principals, teachers, students, custodians. It has been hard and beautiful work.
Also, we would like to thank the Yurok tribe for inviting us to be part of their Food Sovereignty Environmental Education classes, where we are teaching children about their native plants, food resources, and community work. In this image, we learned how to harvest, dry and use stinging nettle. Life is wonderful!
Harvest Box Calendar
Subscribe to the Harvest Box- Wednesday by 4:00, the week before to get the next distribution
4-6 seasonal & local produce items
locally sources protein
local delivery & pick-up available
now accepting EBT!
every 1st and 3rd Thursday
Food & Farm Camp
Food & Farm Camp will be here before you know it.
Join our week-long immersive garden experience where there will be local lunch provided daily, healthly eating, cooking herbalism, & gardening, and exploration of science, ecology, nutrition, art & stewardship.
Contact Angela Gray, Community Education Coordinator, at angela@dnatlfoodcouncil.org
Register Now for Crescent City Camp happening July 28th - August 4th, 2025 from 8:30AM - 4:00PM at 883 W. Washington Blvd. Crescent City, CA.
Register Now for Smith River Camp happening August 11th - 15th from 9AM - 4PM at 16450 Ocean View Dr. Smith River, CA.
Pacific Pantry & Mobile Market
Help Support the Pacific Pantry & Mobile Market
The Family Resource Center of the Redwoods Food Bank has an ongoing commitment to combat hunger in our community. The Pacific Pantry and Mobile Market support the most vulnerable in our community, providing local, nutritious food to families in need.
As we face these uncertain times, please consider joining us to take action against hunger. Together, our actions help ensure our community has the food needed to thrive.
Help make a difference by donating today.
Community Emergency Response Training
Are you interested in helping out during a disruption/disaster? Train to be part of a Community Emergency Response Team. Call 707-464-7255 or email j.seaman@co.del-norte.ca.us to register.
School District
Our County-wide school nutrition team is transforming what school food looks like by cooking meals from scratch, offering daily salad bars with 5–6 fresh fruits and vegetables, and using high-quality local ingredients like Ocean Air Farms greens, Lopez Farms beef, and Rumiano Cheese.
In fact, during the 2024-2025 school year, all of the ground beef used in school meals is locally sourced, and meals like beefaroni showcase this commitment to freshness and flavor. These meals are often the only consistent nutrition some students receive, and every tray reflects the hard work of dedicated staff.
Beyond nourishment, school nutrition services are building health, equity, and local economic impact — doubling local food purchases this school year. When we support this important work, we help students learn more, stay energized, and build lifelong habits!