FFCCU in the Community: Food Strong

What is Food Strong?

Food Strong is a Northeast Ohio organization dedicated to fostering food justice and establishing enduring, sustainable, local food systems.  Their goal is to empower under-resourced neighborhoods with the expertise and resources to become thriving, self-sustaining communities. Food Strong doesn’t just sweep in to provide support, but to work with communities to ensure  local insight and ownership among those being directly affected.

As Food Strong states:  “It takes a village, and by working together, we are able to conserve resources while bringing in the services and expertise of a variety of like-minded stakeholders.”

What Does FFCCU Do in the Community?

As a credit union, making contributions to our community is a top priority for FFCCU. Every year, we maintain two major partnerships with non-profit organizations in our service area to provide financial support for those making a difference. FFCCU teammates volunteer for our award-winning Impact Crew – an internal group dedicated to community service as well as improving the teammate work culture within the credit union. At the heart of a credit union are the members – and it’s thanks to YOU that we are able to provide aid to these pivotal agencies. Our financial contributions come from member donations, primarily through candy bar sales in our branches. In this way, every member of the credit union stands up for our community partners.

Get to Know Food Strong

Founded in 2018, Food Strong brings together a School Garden initiative and the Care-a-Van community wellness program to blueprint a path for students in two Cleveland schools to establish and maintain their own food and native flower gardens. These efforts have since expanded to 14 different area schools.

Beginning in 2020, Food Strong established an urban farm at East Cleveland’s Coit Road Farmers Market. Everyone from volunteers, to school field trips, to culinary students have visited or made contributions to this ongoing community effort.

From mobile farm stands to urban restoration, Food Strong is all about strengthening and supporting local passion for community enrichment and sustainability.

Posted In: Local Events