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editor's note

Hi suma friends,

We’re spending some time in the first little bit of this new year to glance at what we’ve accomplished. From a big growth of users at the farmers markets, to another successful run of our Holiday Special, we’re proud of the progress we’re making. We have some updates on broadband affordability and more details about the works of our app offerings.

Thanks for keeping up with us!

-Jacqueline

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suma milestones

Summer Special at the Farmers Market

In the midst of the chilly winter, we’re reminiscing about the warmer months and reflecting on the successful summer season. This last summer, suma users placed 826 orders across three different markets, that’s 531 more orders than the prior year!

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Suma users used 9,645 vouchers at the markets, totaling to $19,290 spent on fresh food from local vendors (an increase of $11,546 compared to last year). Users saved $13,403 this summer using the suma app!

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Holiday Meal Offering

This holiday season, 90 suma users were able to purchase discounted meals through the suma app. App users collectively paid $890 dollars and accessed $13,450 worth of prepared meals. Our meals sold out quickly and it felt like a testament to the hard work we’ve put into putting together offerings that our users truly value.

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community catch-up

Broadband Affordability ​
Last year suma participated in Representative Marsh’s Workgroup surrounding the expansion of Broadband Affordability Funding in response to the lapse in federal funding into the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The result of this workgroup is HB 3148- Affordable Broadband, which builds on the existing Oregon Telephone Assistance Program (OTAP), modernizing it into the renamed “Oregon Lifeline.” This bill provides the Public Utility Commission (PUC) the authority to increase the existing Oregon subsidy from $10 to $15/month.
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While we are excited for this bill to be introduced to the 2025 long session and will be advocating for its passage. We also understand that providers in the Portland Metro region are largely not participating Lifeline program providers, despite reduced barriers to participating in the program. Our hope is to organize and apply pressure to local providers to begin participating in the program to ensure all Oregonians have an opportunity to receive this subsidy.

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suma app

Portland Water Bureau

This holiday season, we teamed up with the Portland Water Bureau to offer a culturally specific app offering for Hacienda CDC users. Our software engineers developed a new system to organize members by their associated organizations, enabling us to create curated offerings. With this system in place, we successfully funded Hacienda CDC accounts with subsidies provided directly from the Portland Water Bureau.
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Check out the photos to compare the food offerings for users organized with Hacienda CDC versus those who are not.
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