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Food & Farming Program

Supporting and building a sustainable local food system in Northwest Washington.

The Food & Farming Program works on informing, empowering & providing resources to producers & buyers; making connections between farmers, institutions, retailers & restaurants; and raising awareness of local farms and helping consumers Buy FRESH!

Click HERE for all the juicy details about Eat Local Week, September 7-14!

--a few of our projects--

Education:

Food To Bank On connects beginning sustainable farms with training, mentors & market support while providing fresh high-quality food to Whatcom's hungry. 20 farms have graduated or are enrolled in the program, and have received support beginning their farms and businesses. Whatcom food banks have received $50,000 in fresh produce from these farmers since the programs' inception in 2003.

Connections:

Trade Meetings bring Whatcom food buyers & producers together twice annually. Attendance continues to grow, our 2008 Spring Trade Meeting brought over 70 producers and buyers together. In 2007, our networking events brought over 150 professionals together and resulted in over 400 new business relationships bringing the best and freshest bounty to local markets.
Farm Tours bring chefs & retailers into farmers' fields to introduce them & establish market relationships. 56 strong market connections arose from our 2007 tours, in which numerous chefs and owners of local restaurants, cafes and grocerys toured 10 local farms and fisheries.
Local Wholesale Directory is a comprehensive listing to help food buyers & producers connect with one another. This is the only local resource of its kind.

Promotion:

Eat Local Week & Other Events raise awareness about the value of local agriculture and food systems. These events include film screenings, tasting events, "Veggie All Stars" in local races, regular presence at the Bellingham Farmers Market and local & national press.
Whatcom Farm Map & Guide helps the public find the freshest, most flavorful food grown, raised & harvested in Whatcom. The Farm Map has grown to include 69 local farms, and 30,000 copies are being distributed to the public in 2008, which is a 200% increase in distribution in the past two years!
The Guide to Eating Local lists 59 restaurants, cafes, bakeries, grocers, and other food businesses that have taken the Buy FRESH Pledge to support local agriculture.
The "Buy FRESH" Campaign informs the public of which food is local, and publicizes the economic, culinary & community value of fresh food & local farms. Recent poll results show that 69% of local residents recognize the logo, and 3 in 5 households credit the program with changing their purchasing behaviors.