Non-Discrimination Policy

Evergreen Produce Connection is committed to an inclusive, respectful, and equitable environment for everyone involved in our programs and community. Access to healthy food should not depend on who a person is or where they come from.

Evergreen Produce Connection does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, creed, marital status, immigration status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This applies to every part of our operations, including the delivery of food and education programs, hiring and employment, volunteer opportunities, and community partnerships.

We recognize that inequities in food access exist within our region, and we work to reduce those barriers through fair practices, collaboration, and community engagement. Every person is welcome to participate fully in our programs and our mission.

If you believe you have been treated unfairly or denied participation in any Evergreen Produce Connection activity, please contact our Chief Executive Officer at [email protected]. We will review every concern promptly and respectfully, with a focus on resolution and accountability.

Federal and State Nondiscrimination Requirements

Evergreen Produce Connection receives funding through the Washington State Department of Agriculture and complies with the federal and state civil rights requirements that apply to that funding. The following statements are provided in keeping with those requirements.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

email: [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, and complies with applicable state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of creed, gender, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. To file a grievance with WSDA, contact the WSDA Civil Rights Coordinator, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Human Resources Office, Attn: Civil Rights Coordinator, PO Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone: (360) 902-2081. Email: [email protected].