The Afton Food Pantry has received the Food Works Group Wyoming Forward Grant, providing the necessary funds for purchasing locally sourced staple items including produce, dairy, and protein from April 1, 2026 through November 30, 2026.

Sierra Mitchell, Afton Food Pantry President, shared the resulting benefits of the four-month-long grant process that brought in the funding to make several partnerships possible. “We are very excited to put fresh, healthy homegrown items in. I’m so happy it’s what we get to give our patrons.”

The funding is part of a statewide initiative supported through the $2.4 million American Rescue Plan Act Food Systems Project. The program is administered by the Wyoming Department of Family Services in partnership with Food Works Group and is designed to strengthen food access by connecting Wyoming producers directly with food security organizations.

The program received 30 applications requesting $1.96 million in funding. After review, $1.09 million was awarded to 24 entities.

The initiative focuses on “forward contracts,” or future purchase agreements, which allow food pantries to commit to buying products in advance. Organizers say this structure provides producers with more stability while ensuring consistent access to locally grown food for families in need.

The grant will assist the Afton Food Pantry in supplying fresh food to about 40 households each week, with a focus on building long-term partnerships that can continue beyond the funding period. The grant is the largest the Afton Food Pantry has ever received. “The goal is that in the meantime, we can figure out how to sustain this on its own by working with [producers],” said Mitchell, emphasizing that sustainability remains central to the effort.

In selecting producers, practicality and sustainability are key factors. “We wanted to put staple items into the pantry for our patrons. So we went with producers that had a more staple item versus a delicacy item.” Budget constraints also played a major role. Without the grant, the pantry spends about $4 per household on produce and dairy items each week, with protein being donated through the 4-H Livestock auction during the Lincoln County Fair along with  other protein donations from the community. “That is a very small window,” said Mitchell, noting that “it’s a very hard price point for those three items all together.” As a result, “the producers we chose were because they could get close to our price point per household.”

The pantry is partnering with Shumway Farms for weekly dairy products, Silver Stream Farms for twice-monthly fresh produce, and both Squire Farms and Salt River Ranch for protein.

Previous partnerships with producers also helped guide decisions, particularly with Silver Stream Farms. “We recently participated in a mini grant with them, which opened the doors to this big grant,” Mitchell said. While several local producers were contacted, not all were able to participate. “We did contact several local producers. Some of them didn’t contact us back on this grant,” noted Mitchell. “We went with producers that contacted us back, had something we knew could get close to our price point and something that was a more staple item.” Two of the pantry’s key partners—Shumway Farms and Silver Stream Farms—were directly involved in the grant process, applying for funding on their end to help support production and offset costs.

Jon Shumway of Shumway Farms in Afton shared the problems of shipping dairy products across Wyoming. “Dairy is a difficult item to get due to shelf life and availability,” says Shumway. With the grant giving the pantries the opportunity to purchase locally, the products will have a much longer shelf life and be fresh each week.

Shumway said they will include the Afton Food Pantry on their weekly delivery route, providing yogurt and pasteurized whole milk. For those who utilize the pantry, Shumway said he is happy the farm will provide “good, wholesome dairy in their fridge that’s not going to expire the next day”

Shumway plans to continue work with the Afton Food Pantry after the grant term ends saying, “I’ve been working with Sierra [Mitchell] on how we can continue to fit our products in their budget and continue the relationship.” Shumway Farms takes pride in the quality dairy products provided to each member of the community. Shumway said that “It’s good to know our products will be available to more locals.”

Silver Stream Farm

Nicci Hammerel with Silver Stream Farm reiterated what Shumway had to say about the travel of products across the state causing problems with the freshness of the food. “Fresh food access is hard in this part of Wyoming,” Hammerel said. “With harsh winters and short growing seasons, most produce has to travel a long way before it reaches our communities. That affects everyone, but it hits hardest for families who already have fewer choices. As a year-round greenhouse farm, we’re in a position to help change that.”

Silver Stream Farm was given the opportunity to be included in this grant last year, serving Pinedale Food Basket, the Food Bank of Wyoming, and One22.

“Toward the end of the grant period, we were introduced to the Thayne and Afton food pantries, and we’re excited to deepen that work in Star Valley this year.”

Julie Buckley with the Thayne Food Bank shared her excitement  of working with Silver Stream Farm. As a result of the grant received by Silver Stream Farm, they “will be sending vegetables to Thayne,” said Buckley. Although Thayne did not receive grant monies, Buckley says they are “overjoyed for our neighbors to the south to recipient this grant and what it will accomplish for their patrons.” She also is very excited to see what Thayne Food Bank’s partnerships with Silver Stream Farm and other local growers will be in the future.

Some people think food pantries will get donated food that doesn’t meet the highest quality. That is not the case. “The food we provide our partner pantries isn’t second-tier food,” said Hammerel. “It’s the same fresh, flavorful produce we grow for our weekly customers, restaurants, and farmers markets. We harvest it because we believe people deserve food that tastes alive, no matter their circumstances.” Both Buckley and Mitchell praise the quality of the fresh product they will be receiving throughout Star Valley.

Squire Farms

Last year, Squire Farms was part of the pilot program with the Jackson Food Pantry and now will be a part of the grant funds allocated to Afton, bringing in necessary proteins to many families.

Squire Farms owner Susan Maté, along with her husband Dustin Nelson, has a passion to provide nutritional, high-quality, grass-fed and finished beef. “We work hard to provide the best quality,” Maté said.

Currently, Squire Farms has 44 head of cattle, with plans to continue to produce quality beef for the community.

Salt River Ranch

“Salt River Ranch filled our freezer,” Mitchell said. “When we lost all the meat, they filled two freezers full of short ribs to get us through.”

Producers supplying meat for the pantry must meet federal food safety standards, which play a key role in selection.

Mitchell explained that not all local products can be accepted, as the pantry must follow strict guidelines on how food is processed and prepared. In particular, meat must meet USDA standards to be distributed. “That is USDA—we make sure we cover that base,” she said.

The pantry also cannot accept items prepared in home kitchens and must ensure all products comply with established food safety regulations while still fitting within budget and supply needs.

Looking ahead, the Afton Food Pantry hopes the impact will extend far beyond the months it is funded. Continued partnerships with local producers and families will ensure quality, homegrown food remains a consistent resource for Star Valley residents well into the future.

Note: Both the Afton and Thayne Food Pantries applied for the grant. Thayne did not receive funding, but continues working with producers to help bring fresh food to its patrons. The Alpine Food Pantry did not apply for the grant but continues to partner with the Food Bank of Wyoming to provide produce to those it serves.