When you first start your program, you will want to reach out to the media to raise awareness about your program. If you are in a larger organization like Hopelink, work with the communication team to harness their expertise and already established relationships with media outlets in the community. Recruit volunteers with specific skills in graphic design, technical writing and communication to assist with development of flyers, banners, and other marketing materials. In large organizations and small, the most important thing you can do is develop consistent messaging and branding for use – both in verbal and written communication. This enables other individuals and groups to consistently and accurately describe the program, its goals, and activities.
Social networking is a great way to generate support for your program, keep volunteers and stakeholders in the loop about program activities, and recognize the contributions of volunteers, farmers, and other community partners.
Using Facebook Effectively:
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Post pictures immediately following events while the excitement is still fresh
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Provide links to farms or organizations with Facebook pages to tap into personal connections that others have with the location. Use @ in front of the name to link the organization/farm Facebook page.
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Thank the farmers and volunteers
Press and Blog Posts:
KPLU Report, 10/14
Woodinville Weekly, Oxbow Summer Camp, 8/14
Duvall Farmer's Market Newsletter, 8/14
Community Engagement - Snoqualmie Valley Connections, 5/14
Redmond Reporter, 3/14The Produce Isn't Pretty, But It's Edible, 11/7/13
Gleaning Feeds A Wider Community, 9/14/13
Pacific Northwest Gleaning Conference 2013, 7/1/13
On Gleaning and Fresh From the Farm this Week, 7/7/13
Local farmers sharing surplus fruits and vegetables with Hopelink families, 5/24/13
Harvest kick-off for gleaning program is Sunday in Carnation, 5/16/13
Harvest of hope: Valley farms, gleaners, volunteers come together to fight hunger, 10/18/12
Local Farms Bring Organic Produce to Hopelink, Food Banks, 9/6/12
Summer's Bounty Means Food for All, 8/29/12
Farm to Food Bank: Valley harvest donation program helping fight hunger, 4/16/12
