About Lopez Food Center
Learn who’s fueling our food security initiative and who will it serve?
Get to know us
Who's Behind the Food Center?
The Lopez Food Center is comprised of a group of community members and organizations with one thing in common: We all believe a thriving local food system and strong economy are essential to a healthy, sustainable life here on Lopez. To make that possible, we need a central gathering place—one that provides reliable access to local food, creates opportunities for growth, and offers resources for those who need them.
Meet the Permanent Tenants
There will be three, full-time organizations using the Food Center as their Headquarters. Learn more about who they are.
Lopez Food Share
The Lopez Food Share is a community pantry that ensures everyone has access to nutritious and wholesome food. It is dedicated to addressing hunger and strengthening the food assistance network to better serve our rural and remote community.
Heart & Soul Recovery Cafe
Heart & Soul Café is a compassionate recovery community founded on the truth that every human being is precious and worthy of love regardless of their past or present trauma, mental and emotional anguish, addictive behaviors, or past mistakes.
San Juan Food Hub
The San Juan Islands Food Hub is an online marketplace for local food and agricultural products. Customers on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan can buy directly from farmers and food producers across the county on one convenient storefront and receive their orders at a weekly Wednesday pick-up on each island.
How It started
Take a Look at our Progress
2020In the Beginning
Addressing the Challenges
The Project began in 2020 when multiple SJC organizations, including the Lopez Island Family Resource Center, the San Juan Islands Food Hub, the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, the SJC Agricultural Resource Committee, Taproot Kitchen, and the Locavores came together in a coordinated effort to address cross-sector challenges of the local food system. The Lopez Food Center Project Planning Committee was formed with the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild (Ag Guild) acting as fiscal sponsor for grant application purposes.
2021Research and Planning
Feasibility and Need
During 2021, the Ag Guild received a $166,082 grant from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) to assess the need for a Lopez Island multi-use food center by conducting a feasibility study and developing a business plan. Upon completion of a Stakeholder Outreach Survey and Business Plan, community demand for and the financial feasibility of the Lopez Food Center was verified. See attached reports submitted as supplemental documents.
2023Making Progress
Land, Plans and Action
With the support of a group of generous community donors, in February 2023, the Lopez Food Center secures site control for a 1.15-acre parcel of land in Lopez Village.
Following that achievement, the Ag Guild received a $62,100 grant from USDA Rural Development to fund a portion of the architectural and engineering costs needed to complete project design and plans to submit for building permits. Finally, in September of 2023, the Lopez Food Center organization was designated by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) organization.
2023-2024Capital Campaign
Raising Funds
The quiet phase of the Lopez Rooted & Rising capital campaign began in October of 2023. As of October of 2024, 5.7 million has been raised from local donors for the Project.
Board applied for Washington State Legislative Funding Request for the Project and received a $197,000 allocation.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors brings a vast array of professional experience and guidance to the table.
Barbara Schultheiss
President
Barbara is currently the Executive Director of the Lopez Island Family Resource Center.
Sarah
Pope
Secretary
Sarah is a farmer and currently manages the San Juan Island Food Hub.
Dennis
Egan
Tresurer
Dennis brings years of experience and expertise in banking to the board.
Joan
Egan
Board Member
Joan brings years of financial and grant writing expertise to the board.
Elizabeth
Romney
Board Member
Elizabeth brings years of experience and expertise in business development to the board.
Project Advisors
Christine Langley
Farmer
Pedro Mendes
LIFRC Food Programs Manager
Would you like to be an Advisor?
We are always looking for more community input