Food FARMacia is a program designed by Sea Mar Community Health Centers through the Health Education program as a way to provide patients with access to fresh produce at no cost. This program is made possible through donations from City Sprouts Farm, Sustainable Connections, the Bellingham Food Bank, and Christ the King Church. With these donations, Sea Mar has been able to provide patients with access to produce they may not be able to purchase on a weekly basis due to economic barriers amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Education department aims to give patients the opportunity to try new vegetables by providing a variety of items every week along with helpful information that can be useful to patients when experimenting with new foods. The Food FARMacia began in December 2019 and is quickly gaining the attention of surrounding communities. We are hoping to recruit volunteers in order to sustain the program for as long as possible and continue helping those in need.
The Food FARMacia takes place on a weekly basis at two different locations. Volunteers are able to commit to one of the two sites or commit to both. Each Food FARMacia event lasts about 2.5 hours and volunteers are expected to allot for a 3-4 hour time commitment every week. Due to COVID-19, the Food FARMacia has been moved outside of both clinics in order to help patients and ensure a safe practice of social distancing. Please note that the Food FARMacia will continue to happen and will need volunteers RAIN or SHINE!
Food FARMacia Bellingham
When: Every Tuesday
Location: Sea Mar Bellingham Medical Clinic (4455 Cordata Pkwy Bellingham, WA 98226)
Time: 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Volunteer Duties
- Volunteer must complete Sea Mar’s Volunteer Program Application Process (https://www.seamar.org/volunteer-application.html).
- If volunteer has their own mode of transportation, volunteers are able to pick up produce from local partners in the Bellingham area. Mileage will not be reimbursed. Partners are located nearby each clinic.
- Set up canopy, tables, and caution tape (used for social distancing) at the clinic.
- Perform activities that are necessary to maintain the garden boxes located at each clinic.
- Interact with patients from different cultural backgrounds. Not all patients will speak English; a bilingual Spanish-speaking volunteer would be great, however, it is not a requirement. Volunteers who do not have a basic understanding of Spanish, we ask that you be willing to learn with the aid of tools from Health Educators.
- Have a friendly attitude when interacting with patients and make sure to make them feel welcomed, included, and comfortable enough to learn about different types of produce.
- Break down and consolidate crates, bags, tables, canopy, and return all items to the Sea Mar clinic.
- Fill out and submit the Food FARMacia report. Volunteers will receive training on how to complete the form upon clearance.
