UFNOR exists to strengthen independent community hunger-relief organizations while protecting the local leadership, relationships, and decision-making that make them effective.
The mission of Unified Food Network of Oregon is to strengthen a statewide network of independent, community-based food banks and aligned partners by coordinating food sharing, regional hubs, transportation, storage, food rescue, cooperative purchasing, training, emergency response, resource development, communication, and advocacy so that every Oregon community has reliable and dignified access to nutritious food.
UFNOR envisions an Oregon in which every community can respond to hunger and emergencies through locally led, connected, equitable, and resilient food systems.
These commitments guide the network’s governance, programs, partnerships, and resource decisions.
Community food banks remain locally governed and retain their names, identities, programs, assets, relationships, and decision-making authority.
Food assistance should be welcoming, low-barrier, culturally responsive, and designed to protect the dignity and choices of the people served.
Resources, leadership opportunities, and services should reflect need and include rural, remote, tribal, coastal, frontier, immigrant, disability, LGBTQIA+, and historically underserved communities.
Participants share knowledge, food, equipment, transportation, volunteers, and other resources when possible without creating entitlement to another organization’s assets.
Decisions, finances, resource-allocation practices, and conflicts of interest are handled openly and responsibly.
People who have experienced hunger, poverty, food insecurity, disaster displacement, or barriers to benefits should have meaningful opportunities to guide the work.
The network builds local capacity to withstand disasters, supply interruptions, and economic hardship.
Food, funds, facilities, data, volunteer time, and donated goods are used carefully, safely, and for the public benefit.
UFNOR is not governed, controlled, sponsored, or represented by Oregon Food Bank. This independence creates a statewide home for eligible community-based hunger-relief organizations operating outside that network.
