Food To Bank On
is a three-year farmer incubation project that connects beginning sustainable farmers with business training, markets and mentorship, while providing farm-fresh product to food banks and shelters.
Aspects of the project include:
Training: Business planning, technical training workshops and field days in conjunction with the WSU Whatcom County Extension and industry experts on a variety of practical topics from soil health to financial management.
- Markets: New farmers are paid wholesale rates to deliver fresh food to local food banks; farmers are also connected with new markets through Sustainable Connections membership.
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Mentorship: In addition to valuable peer-to-peer relationships with the cohort of farmers in the 1st through 4th years of business, each new farmer is paired up with an experienced mentor farmer.
Brandie Lambin & Bradley Tremper, Sandy Spade Farm
Photo Credit Diane Padys photography (padyseye.com) - cropped
The community, farmers, and the hungry all benefit from the innovative and effective work of the Food To Bank On project. Whatcom County food banks, soup kitchens and women's shelters have received over $57,000 in fresh produce since the programs' start in 2003.
FARMER PROFILES: Click here to see current FTBO Farmers
MORE INFO
- Learn more about Food To Bank On
- Great resources for new farmers in Whatcom County
- Stay connected via the Whatcom Farmers' Listserve. Click here to join.
INTERESTED in being a part of Food to Bank On?
We accept applications for the following year each fall. Contact FTBO Coordinator, Sara Southerland at sara@sconnect.org for more information.
Many thanks to the 2012 Farmer Mentors
- Boxx Berry Farm, Mike Boxx (top left)
- Cedarville Farm, Mike Finger (top center)
- Cloud Mountain Farm, Tom Thornton (top right)
- Osprey Hill Farm, Anna & Geoff Martin (bottom left)
- Rabbit Fields Farm, Roslyn McNicholl (bottom center)
- Farmer Ben's, Jessica & Ben Elenbaas (bottom right)
Food to Bank On 2012 Local Sponsors:
2012 Brand Sponsors:
