About Us

Our mission is to end hunger and food insecurity in Oregon by partnering with local farmers, ranchers, and food processors to deliver high-quality, local food to food-insecure communities. 

The Roots of Farmers Ending Hunger

In 2004, Farmers Ending Hunger founder Fred Ziari discovered that Oregon was ranked one of the hungriest states in the nation. He couldn’t believe the numbers. How could food insecurity be such a problem when Oregon produced an abundance of agricultural bounty? Fred believed everyone had a basic right to nourishing food.

This discovery had Fred reaching out to the farming community in Eastern Oregon, which resulted in donations of large quantities of fresh food to nourish Oregon families facing food insecurity. Those farmers and ranchers collaborated to ensure their local communities saw the benefits of the nutritious produce being grown around them.

After this first effort, Farmers Ending Hunger was founded in 2006, and Oregon growers, transporters, and processors have been coming together ever since to fight food insecurity in their region. Their hard work, plus the financial contributions of everyday Oregonians, has changed lives across the area for two decades, getting wholesome produce to the people who need it most.

Meet the Team

John Burt

Executive Director

John Burt is Executive Director of Farmers Ending Hunger, a role he has held since 2007. A retired Oregon State University Extension agent, John brings decades of agricultural experience and community service to connecting Oregon farmers, ranchers, and food processors with families facing hunger.

Fred Ziari

Founder

Fred Ziari is the founder of Farmers Ending Hunger, an Oregon nonprofit connecting farmers, food processors, and communities to fight hunger. A longtime agribusiness leader based in Eastern Oregon, Fred founded the organization in 2004 after learning of Oregon’s severe food insecurity.

Board of Directors

  • Fred Ziari

    President

  • Tom Winn

    Vice President

  • Jim Youde

    Secretary

  • Kenzie Hansell

    Farmer

  • Frank Lamb

    Farmer

  • Molly McCargar

    Farmer

  • Brenda Thomas

    Farmer

  • Bryan Wolfe

    Farmer

Ways to Give

  • Make a Donation

    Farmers Ending Hunger accepts donations of any amount, applied directly to the work of getting fresh food to those in need.

    Contribute Now

  • Adopt an Acre

    Adopt an Acre isn't about tending land. It’s a giving level that funds the processing of crops after harvest, like canning and delivering to food banks.

    Get the Details

  • Become a Partner

    Farmers, ranchers and processors help turn a local, wholesome produce, grains, and meat into meals for Oregonians in need.

    Learn More