Tokens for Tomorrow: April-June 2024
Meet the 2nd Quarter Tokens for Tomorrow groups! With Tokens for Tomorrow, every time you bring in a reusable shopping bag, we honor your commitment to reducing waste with a token worth 8¢ that you can give back to one of these local organizations.
Rodale Institute Pacific Northwest Organic Center
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education.
At the Pacific Northwest Organic Center in eastern Skagit Valley, the Rodale Institute conducts regionally focused organic farming research, provides training and consulting to farmers, and act as a demonstration hub for people interested in regenerative organic farming.
Sound Water Stewards of Island County
Sound Water Stewards are trained volunteers working in and around Island County (Whidbey and Camano Islands) for a healthy, sustainable marine environment through education, science, and stewardship.
SWS members collect data for research through community science projects, educate all ages of the public about the marine environment, and inspire sustainability through stewardship actions.
Upper Skagit Library’s Freedge Program
The Upper Skagit Library is now hosting a Freedge as an extension of the Food Recovery Program. Concrete restaurants, corner stores, grocers, schools, and more have a new way to put their food waste to good use. Instead of composting or trashing leftovers and close-dated food items, they can feed neighbors needing food assistance.
A core aspect of our program is rescuing perfectly good, edible food that businesses might otherwise discard. Upon receiving these donations, we promptly label each item with the date of receipt along with information about potential allergens, ensuring community members are well-informed. This allows a variety of choices to those in need, while respecting their freedom to select what they prefer. Since opening, they’ve observed that donated items rarely last more than two days in the Freedge, highlighting the pressing need in the Upper Skagit community.
Fidalgo Island + Guemes Gleaners (FIGG)
Founded in 2015, FIGG realized there were many fruit trees on Fidalgo and Guemes that were producing more than the owners needed or wanted. The rest would fall to the ground, wasted. There are two parts to the program. Part one is the tree owners – they have the fruit!
Part two is the gleaners – they want the fruit! FIGG picks the fruit, dividing it up between the tree owners, local food banks, and the gleaners. Everyone is happy and the fruit is lovingly and deliciously used. FIGG also cleans up fallen fruit and gives it away as chicken, cow, or pig feed. They gleaned over 21,000 pounds of fruit in 2023, and it was distributed to the senior center and stands at up by the schools in Anacortes for anyone to enjoy.
Reuse. Rinse. Repeat.
Every time you reuse your bag, you’re giving back. How many times have you given back? How many times have you reused your bag? Probably too many to count, and we are so grateful for your efforts. Now, how many times have you reused your bag since you washed it last? Chances are, probably too many times to count. So, please remember to wash your bags to help keep everyone’s food safe and clean. And thanks again for reusing your bag!