Lend a Hand

Most consumer food co-ops incorporate volunteering into their work.  Main Market is no exception.  However, as with many things, we’re putting a twist on it.  We’re calling it “Lend a Hand” and we’re asking those willing to make a direct positive impact on our mission to strengthen local agriculture.

Main Market works with our region’s producers to learn about when the help of a few extra hands would make a considerable difference in their operations, and subsequent ability to stay in business.  While most small-to-medium size farms and ranches don’t require extensive staff most of the year, certain times of year involve a higher than normal workload, making it difficult to balance resources and needs, and often leaving valuable income “on the trees” during harvest.

To attempt to solve the gap, we will regularly post information about farms in our area that need a little extra help.  Examples include planting seeds, weeding, picking apples and putting labels on milk jugs.  We’ll provide the location, what help is needed, the date and time.  Our ‘Lend a Hand-ers’ connect directly with those in need to make a real difference in our region’s ability to produce food.  Stay tuned to this page for those opportunities.

We do also have some more traditional ways to help ‘Lend a Hand.’  Opportunities exist on the sales floor as a new customer greeter, grocery bagger and shelf stocker.  Sign up for 2hr shifts at the cash register or by emailing Lend a Hand least 4 days in advance.

Opportunities to Lend a Hand directly to our local producer partners...

• 5/30-6/5, all week - Lend a Hand to Jackson Farm, Spokane Valley
  Help a local producer plant their fields!  3 hour shifts any time between 7am-7pm. Contact Dan at jacksonfarmproduce@gmail.com to arrange a time.
  

  Learn more about the farm in this article.

• 5/16, Sunday – Lend a Hand to S&P Homestead Farm, Otis Orchards
  Help a local producer plant their fields!  Any 2 hours between 10am-6pm. Email them directly at sphomesteadfarm@gmail.com and they’ll contact you with details.

• Spokane’s Family Farm, our local dairy just past Airway Heights, bottles milk every other day around 11am. In January it’s the odd days of the month, and in February the even – heck, go for Valentine’s Day to really express your love for local agriculture and give Mike & Trish a break!  Contact them directly at 796.FARM or tvieira@centurytel.net to schedule an outing!