FY24: The How Much measures # of pounds of food distributed/sold and # of participants engaged in food programming and fell below target this reporting period. In check-ins between Family League and Black Yield Institute (BYI), this related to staff transitions in the first half of the year. Because BYI did not start Marketplace offerings and Mutual Aid Market programs in their new location until the second half of the year, BYI was unable to meet the targets of these two measures.

The How Well measure #2, #/% of community garden infrastructure projects completed, fell below the target of 80%, with only 3/7 being completed. While progress is still being made, fluctuations in project milestones, such as licensing and contractor timelines, have delayed the finishing touches on the remaining projects.

The Better Off measures #/% who report an increase in self-sufficiency and #/% who report a reduction in food insecurity were tied to survey responses. This year, BYI did not administer very many surveys due to the fluctuation in project milestones, which limited opportunities to bring people into the Mount Clare space. BYI has not been able to execute planned volunteer and community programming experiences, as this would create a liability and multiple safety concerns.

FY23:  The How Well and all the better Off Measures were tied to survey responses. This year, BYI did not administer very many surveys because most participants started attending in Q4 and did not come to programs more than once during that short period. BYI had been directed to give the survey only to returning participants so had very few eligible to take the survey. In FY24, fewer measures will depend on survey answers and the survey will be given to all participants, not just returning ones.

FY21: At the close of FY21, BYI was below target on two “How Much” one “How Well,” and one “Better Off” measures.  Specifically, they were below target on the number of pounds of food distributed/sold, number of participants who attended a cooking class and returned for a second class or volunteer opportunity, and the number/percentage of volunteers and cooking class participants who reported they strengthened their food access by engaging in food programming. Agrihood is a community-engagement-based program and COVID-19 restrictions and health recommendations continued to pose a barrier to their hosting the events upon which they rely to meet their performance goals.  Three of the below-target measures related directly to cooking classes, which were not able to be offered due to the pandemic.   

Additionally, when faced with eviction from their land at the end of the fiscal year, focus necessarily shifted from their standard programming to finding a solution to their land stewardship issues. Now that BYI has confirmation that they may remain throughout this growing season, they have shifted their focus back to programming as well as finding a permanent solution to the land stewardship issue. 

FY23: Funding will support the continued implementation of the Cherry Hill Community Food Strategy. This asset-based strategy works to increase residents’ access to locally sourced, healthy produce and advance the community’s vision for food sovereignty. In FY23, this strategy will focus on several key components, including food distribution, community engagement, preparation and development of a new farming site, and building support and buy-in for the cooperatively-owned grocery store. Black Yield Institute is the funded partner, through Maryland Philanthropy Network as the fiscal sponsor.

FY21: The goal of the Agrihood is to create a community-led, sustainable urban agriculture system that serves the entire Cherry Hill community.  Through this funding source, our partner, Black Yield Institute (BYI) is realizing this goal by providing two opportunities to the Cherry Hill community. They utilize their urban farm to provide agricultural skill-building through volunteerism. Additionally, cooking and nutrition education options are planned and will be fully implemented once the COVID 19 pandemic is over.  

FY23: All children, families, and community members in the Cherry Hill community in south Baltimore.

FY21: The Cherry Hill Agrihood strategy will ultimately serve the entirety of the Cherry Hill neighborhood in south Baltimore (zip code 21225). Cherry Hill has approximately 3,000 total households and 87.5% of its residents are African American. In the Cherry Hill community, 39% are children under 18 and 56.8% of children live below the poverty line.  

FY23: This year Black Yield Institute began buying more produce from Black farmers in Baltimore. They set up long-term contracts with each farmer and placed bulk orders in advance. One of their staff members drove to the farms weekly to pick up fresh produce, then delivered it to the BYI Marketplace in Cherry Hill. These products are sold every Saturday at the Marketplace. As a non-profit, BYI has become increasingly aware of how well-positioned they are to create a sustainable food ecosystem in Baltimore's Black neighborhoods. Twice a month BYI hosts live food demonstrations to show people how to cook the produce they sell in a healthier way that remains true to Black food culture. There was an instance when many people had reservations about okra, historically a staple in African American cuisine. After demonstrating how to make okra, BYI sold out every week.

FY21: After learning of their imminent eviction from their current land, BYI reached out to the community for support; the public response was both strong and immediate. After sharing a petition regarding the land stewardship issues, BYI received 40,000 signatures locally, nationally, and internationally as well as direct support in one week. BYI was able to reach an agreement to remain on the land throughout the growing season and to procure and prepare a new location ensuring that their work will continue. This large-scale rallying of community demonstrates the importance and impact of BYI’s work in the Cherry Hill Community. BYI does not simply serve the community, they are an integral part of it. 

BYI Quote: “Even in intense times, we found a way to serve the community through skill-building, volunteering, providing folks access to grown produce of their choice, and distributing fresh produce for folks to use for family meals at no cost.” 

FY24: In the second half of FY24, BYI implemented regular Marketplace offerings and Mutual Aid Market programs for the first time in their new location. BYI has impacted three neighborhoods across South and Southwest Baltimore, serving over 800 people throughout the second half of FY24. They successfully launched their annual Season Opening Weekend (May) and Maroonteenth (June) celebrations. Zine, Soil and Roots, BYI’s education publication work, continues to engage members of the community. BYI distributed 900 pamphlets across the neighborhoods in which they are working. This outreach yielded more foot traffic for BYI events and Marketplace offerings, as evidenced by the 15 people who attended two small BYI community gatherings (outside of the annual celebrations) in April and May. Also, new volunteers joined their ranks; 57% of whom volunteered more than once.

FY23: The How Well and all the better Off Measures were tied to survey responses. This year, BYI did not administer very many surveys because most participants started attending in Q4 and did not come to programs more than once during that short period. BYI had been directed to give the survey only to returning participants so had very few eligible to take the survey. In FY24, fewer measures will depend on survey answers and the survey will be given to all participants, not just returning ones.

There were duplicates of participants who answered the survey questions last fiscal year. The numbers have been updated in red. The following measures are given to those who volunteer more than once and provided by the funded partner:  

• #/% of participants that report having locally sourced food in one meal per week 

• #/% of volunteers and cooking class participants who report they strengthened their food access by engaging with food programming • #/% who report an increase in self-sufficiency 

• #/% who report a reduction in food insecurity 

• #/% who report an increase in food/meal availability 

• #/% who report local healthy food items of their choice are affordable 

The following measures are new for FY22. However, these measures were not added to the new tracker in error. Data on these PMs should be  available for Q3 & Q4.  

• #/% of participants that report having locally sourced food in one meal per week * 

• #/% who report local healthy food items of their choice are affordable * 

Only 4 participants who volunteered more than 2 times completed the survey. Explanations of the data are as follows:  

• #/% of volunteers and cooking class participants who report they strengthened their food access by engaging with food programming. o Of the 3 participants that answered this question did not report a change in their food access prior to volunteering.  

• #/% who report an increase in self-sufficiency

o Of the (1) participant that answered this question on the survey, they indicated that they felt more comfortable with cooking  with produce after their engagement with Agrihood.  

• #/% who report a reduction in food insecurity 

o Of the 2 participants that answered this question, answers included ‘No’ and ‘I Don’t Know’. 

• #/% who report an increase in food/meal availability 

o Of the 2 participants that answered this question, they did not indicate changes in food/meal availability prior to/after  volunteering.