So What Else & The Farmlink Project: A CFR Success Story

For the month of October, we tapped our partner, So What Else, a donor and recipient agency of CFR. We asked them to share about their experience getting connected with The Farmlink Project, a national non-profit that connects surplus produce from farmers with food banks and other food assistance providers. This is a mission that is shared by CFR, and we love to see how national and regional non-profits can work together to address food waste and food insecurity.  Read on to hear what So What Else shared about this relationship.  

How did SWE become partnered with Farmlink? 

 “In fall of 2023, SWE started receiving deliveries of squash, watermelon and other beautiful items through a partner. We asked the partner where the food was coming from, and they said Farmlink! Eventually, we had the pleasure of meeting Luis from Farmlink in person when he came to visit our warehouse. Since then, we’ve communicated directly with Farmlink and they have been able to help us with food donations and transportation of the donations that are offered directly to us.” 

Tell us a little bit about Farmlink and how they got started. 

“The Farmlink Project works to connect farmers to food banks, delivering excess farm-fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, to feed families in need. This nationwide organization was founded in 2020 by college students sent home due to the pandemic. Although founded a mere four years ago, the Farmlink Project has rescued and delivered over 250 million pounds of food to communities across the entire country. All while remaining committed to their core values: prizing honest open communication within the food system; uplifting and championing diversity; advancing food security and equity; and believing in food sovereignty and dignity.” 

 What products have you gotten through Farmlink since becoming connected? 

“The partnership started when we received squash and watermelons. Eventually, we started getting thousands of pounds of apples. At the end of 2023, we received apples for 2-3 months straight! We were also getting loads of bananas. Now we often receive mixed loads of cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes. We have also started receiving more apples this year!” 

In addition to the loads of donations that Farmlink has access to, they also help us collect donations from other donors by providing transportation. “Without Farmlink, we wouldn’t be able to collect items like apple juice, apple sauce and quinoa from Pennsylvania!” 

 One So What Else shared the impact that these donations have on their community:  

“Basic produce in the household kitchen is part of our main focus, have fresh and healthy produce on the tables of our community is getting difficult to afford it in these days, have these kind a great quality produce is a blessing, taking in consideration our great diversity of community we serve in our area.”  

-Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Monte de Los Olivos 

We are honored to be partnered with an organization like So What Else that has such a meaningful impact on the community. If you know of any Montgomery County donor businesses that would be interested in joining the CFR network email foodresources@mannafood.org.