Coastal Roots Farm Offers Pay-What-You-Can Food Amid Coronavirus

ENCINITAS, CA — With many businesses closed and many more people out of work, Coastal Roots Farm has been busier and more essential than ever since the coronavirus pandemic hit San Diego County.

Coastal Roots Farm, which was established in 2014, distributes food through its on-site pay-what-you-can Farm Stand, pop-up mobile farm stands and direct donations to local hunger relief organizations. Since its inception, the Encinitas-based nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center has donated more than half of the organization's harvest to community members who lack access to fresh food.

"The number of customers shopping at our pay-what-you-can Farm Stand has doubled and even tripled since the pandemic began," said Kesha Dorsey Spoor, philanthropy and communications manager for Coastal Roots Farm.

"We reached capacity for individuals served on our last Farm Stand day, with customers waiting in line for over an hour at the day's peak to access our organic produce and eggs," Spoor said. "Around 70 percent of customers shared that the crisis has impacted their employment or income, which we believe accounts for much of the increased demand."

Coastal Roots Farm closed its Farm Stand for just one day while initial news about the statewide stay-at-home order was being circulated to ensure the organization was adequately prepared to safely serve customers. Since then, the Farm Stand has been open every Thursday and Sunday, with demand increasing every week.

"While many are experiencing hardship, we know the pandemic most deeply affects already marginalized communities who are at highest risk of exposure and lack access to health care and food," Spoor said. "While food is always considered essential, we believe that equitable access to healthy food for people of all backgrounds is more critical than ever."

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

In addition to operating the Farm Stand, Coastal Roots Farm has continued to distribute food to active-duty military and veterans, Holocaust survivors and Vista Community Clinic.

Once a month, Coastal Roots Farm provides farm-fresh produce to military families and veterans through its no-cost mobile Farm Stand in partnership with Helping Hand Worldwide. Additionally, the nonprofit provides emergency donations to Jewish Family Service, Wounded Warrior Homes and the USO.

Coastal Roots Farm also provides weekly and monthly deliveries to Holocaust survivors in need. The program began in 2017.

"We are honored to deliver nutritious produce to 26 Holocaust survivors and their families and meaningfully connect them to the San Diego Jewish community," Spoor said. "We know that this population is especially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last month, we have delivered produce to 30 additional survivors to try to alleviate some stress among them."

Nonperishables provided by Encinitas-based Community Resource Center have been added to their deliveries, Spoor noted.

Coastal Roots Farm also holds a monthly food distribution at Vista Community Clinic, which reaches predominantly low-income immigrant families. When the program first started in 2017, it was set up as a pay-what-you-can Farm Stand.

"Shortly after, it became clear that the need among this community was so great that the program became entirely free to families," Spoor said.

Due to the pandemic, the mobile Farm Stand at VCC has been shifted to involve prebagged produce bags, which are being distributed directly through clinic staff by appointment only.

Although Coastal Roots Farm has maintained its Farm Stand and other programs, the pandemic has impacted the nonprofit.

Coastal Roots Farm usually works with more than 1,000 volunteers annually who help with events and growing the food the organization distributes in the community. In an effort to ensure safety for all, however, volunteer and internship programs have been put on hold.

"We certainly feel the loss of our volunteers, and our entire team has been folded into the production and distribution operations in order to continue fulfilling all distribution requests," Spoor said.

The nonprofit has had to make other adjustments to its operations as a result of the pandemic.

The Farm Stand has taken measures to uphold high standards of hygiene and sanitation to protect customers and staff members. The organization follows food safety guidelines from local and national organizations, and has added additional safety measures throughout, from harvest to distribution.

Team members regularly wash their hands and use protective gear, including masks. They are asked to stay home if they are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms, Spoor said.

During Farm Stand hours, Coastal Roots Farm instituted modified protocols to ensure social distancing and minimal contact. Customers are asked to wait in their vehicles until directed to park and exit. A menu of harvested produce is given to each customer, and Farm Stand staff bags food on behalf of the customer.

Additionally, while all in-person events and programs have been indefinitely postponed, Coastal Roots Farm has provided virtual education and other opportunities to connect with people.

The nonprofit offers weekly Facebook Live programs including "Your Morning Scramble," a segment on Coastal Roots Farm's chickens and eggs, "Garden Tip Tuesdays" and "Ready, Set, Grow," featuring Jewish and environmental learning through storytelling and activities.

Coastal Roots Farm also hosts a weekly Havdalah service, a short ritual on Saturday nights that marks the separation between the week and Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. The online event is open to the whole community.

Recipes as well as farm and garden how-to resources are also available on the organization's website.

Coastal Roots Farm's pay-what-you-can Farm Stand is open from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. The Farm Stand is at 441 Saxony Road in Encinitas.

For more about Coastal Roots Farm, visit coastalrootsfarm.org.

Also see:

• California Coronavirus: Latest Updates On Cases, Orders, Closures
• Coronavirus In San Diego County: Latest News
• San Diego Area Animal Refuge Struggles Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
• Former Camp Pendleton Marine Opens New Business Amid Coronavirus
• San Diego-Based Choir Covers Song To Spread Hope: Coronavirus