One of our most popular programs in Clatsop County is the Cannon Beach Tomato Project, in which our volunteers start tomatoes from seed to provide tomato transplants to patrons at the Cannon Beach Food Pantry. We provide the patrons with the transplants, pots, potting mix, and educational information in both English and Spanish about how to grow tomatoes. This allows the participants, most of whom are experiencing food security and many of whom speak limited English, to begin growing a key cultural food crop at home, even if they only have a doorstep or balcony to grow with.

In 2025, this program expanded to offer cabbage and rosemary to participants in addition to tomatoes. 2025 was the Tomato Project’s biggest year yet, with 98 plants given away and 119 individuals taught about edible gardening. Lead volunteer Andrea notes that “the feedback from families is always positive, with some noting that their children are now more interested in gardening.”