The Oregon Community Food System Network (OCFSN)
is a 501(c)(3) membership nonprofit made up of nonprofit organizations and allies dedicated to strengthening local and regional food systems to deliver better economic, social, health, and environmental outcomes across the state.
Mission
OCFSN brings together organizations from across the state and food system to build capacity and trust, share knowledge and resources, and mobilize member-led action.
Vision
A thriving statewide network where people and organizations collaborate to advance a just, equitable, nutritious, and resilient food future for Oregon.
Values
Food connects people, cultures, communities, economies, land, waters, and living systems. OCFSN’s values guide how the network works together toward a food future rooted in shared power, care, learning, and long-term responsibility.
Connection and Cooperation – OCFSN cultivates relationships across regions, sectors, and communities, so partners can learn from one another, coordinate efforts, and act with greater collective strength.
Member Leadership – Members help set direction, identify priorities, and shape the actions OCFSN supports, with clear roles for member leadership, working groups, staff, and partners.
Equity and Shared Power – OCFSN works to change unfair systems by expanding access to funding, information, relationships, and decision-making spaces, and by centering people and communities most affected by food system inequities.
Learning and Adaptation – OCFSN values curiosity, transparency, feedback, and practical learning, and adapts as member priorities, funding, policy, climate, and community conditions change.
Food Access and Dignity – We support food systems where people and communities can access food that is sufficient, culturally meaningful, and responsive to their needs, while honoring the people, relationships, and work that bring food to our tables.
Regeneration, Repair, and Resilience – OCFSN supports practices that repair harm, care for land and waters, honor Indigenous and place-based stewardship, support growers, farmworkers, and food system workers, care for animals, strengthen local economies, and help communities adapt across generations.
OCFSN Member Details
List of Current OCFSN Members
OCFSN Member Eligibility: Membership in OCFSN is open to organizations, including:
- Community-based farm and food focused non-profits and grassroots groups.
- Regional or statewide social-purpose organizations working on farm and food issues.
- Governmental entities involved in Oregon food system planning and development.
- National organizations with a staff presence and farm/food programming in Oregon.
- For profit business cannot be OCFSN voting members.
Expectations of Members:
- Complete an application form documenting their commitment to the OCFSN vision, mission, and values, and describing their efforts to promote positive food system change.
- Reconfirm participation annually and designate a representative to hold the organization’s vote on OCFSN matters. Participate in 100% of votes called.
- Assign one or more representatives to participate in OCFSN Working Groups.
- Participate in at least 75% of scheduled meetings/calls and read all meeting/call minutes.
- Collaborate to seek resources for the priorities their Working Groups set.
- Participate in OCFSN trainings and events.
- Provide data to support OCFSN led research and evaluation.
- Provide input on regional and state level food systems needs and priorities.
Approval of New Members:
Organizations interested in becoming members of OCFSN will submit an application for initial review by the Leadership Team and formal confirmation by a vote of the existing Members. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Leadership Team reviews will be conducted on at least a quarterly basis. Formal confirmation will occur once a year, in the first quarter, after which approved organizations will be listed as Members.
OCFSN Member Organization Voting Rights:
OCFSN Members will be asked to vote to confirm new members and elect members of the Leadership Team. Each OCFSN Member organization will have one vote and will designate one representative to hold that vote. At the beginning of each year, Members will be asked to reconfirm their continuing involvement with OCFSN and name their representative. If the designated representative is unable to participate in a meeting or call where a vote is scheduled, they may provide a written proxy.
A quorum of OCFSN Members shall be two-thirds (66% plus one). Generally, OCFSN members will seek consensus. However, a simple majority vote of a quorum of members present or represented by proxy will be sufficient to approve any action referred for vote.
Voting may be conducted in person, by phone or by email ballot with the results recorded in the minutes of the next Leadership Team meeting.