Support Thai Farmer's Community Food Festival

My name is Pongpoonat Rungrueng, a small farmer from a little town in Thailand and the founder of RKR Farmstay. My life revolves around agriculture, particularly rice farming, and creating a welcoming space for visitors to experience Thai farm life. I’ve always believed that even small actions can make a big difference. That’s why I joined the YSEALI program, where I had the chance to work with ARC&D in the U.S., gaining hands-on experience in the food system.

During my time with ARC&D, I worked closely with small-scale farmers, market organizers, and community members. I learned how programs like CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and food access initiatives, such as FarmacyFit, help communities thrive. This experience deeply inspired me, especially as I reflected on how I could bring these ideas back to my community in Thailand.

One of the most eye-opening moments happened at a Pop-Up Farmers Market we organized at a low-income housing center. After a day of fun activities and teaching kids about fresh produce, one child said, “There’s no food here. It’s just vegetables.” It struck me how disconnected they were from fresh food, viewing it as something unfamiliar. For them, processed food had become the norm. This made me realize how vital food education is—not just for nourishment but as a way to reconnect people with their health and their community.

In Thailand, fresh food is abundant, but people are increasingly turning to fast, processed options. Trust in local produce is fading due to soil contamination and other issues. I believe we can change this. With the experience I’ve gained, I want to organize a community festival as a pilot project, where we will host a local farmers' market, integrate the “food as medicine” concept, and teach food literacy.

This event will build trust between the community and our local farmers, ensuring everyone has access to healthy, fresh food. This year, we aim to make an even bigger impact—reaching more people, engaging with more farmers, and strengthening our connection with the local community. We believe that by involving more stakeholders, we can create a ripple effect that extends beyond the festival, building a movement that prioritizes health, sustainability, and local pride.

Your support will bring to life a vibrant community festival that combines tradition, learning, and local growth. Funds will help us revive the charm of outdoor cinema, preserving the tradition of open-air movie nights that once brought families together. We'll host a healthy cooking class for kids from the extension school, teaching them to prepare meals with locally-grown produce while respecting the water they use. Incentive tokens will be provided to encourage engagement, allowing participants to use these tokens at the local farmers’ market, directly benefiting our farmers. Additionally, donations will cover decorations and an electric generator, ensuring a welcoming and well-equipped space for all activities. A portion of the funds will also go toward supporting local farmers with seeds, organic fertilizers, and tools, helping them grow more fresh food for the community.

Your contribution will be the seed that helps this vision flourish, enabling us to reach more people, empower more farmers, and build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. Together, we can make these small actions grow into a lasting impact.