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.
- Markets: New farmers are paid wholesale rates to deliver fresh food to local food banks; farmers are 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, each new farmer is paired up with an experienced mentor farmer.
Ephraim and Laura Kurszewski, The Carrot & Stick
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 $67,000 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, at sara@sconnect.org for more information.
Many thanks to the 2013 Farmer Mentors
- Misty Meadows Farm, Melissa Moeller (top left)
- Cedarville Farm, Mike Finger (top center)
- Cloud Mountain Farm, Tom Thornton (top right)
- Osprey Hill Farm, Anna Martin (bottom left)
- Rabbit Fields Farm, Roslyn McNicholl (bottom center)
- Uprising Organics, Brian Campbell & Crystine Goldberg (bottom right)
Thank YOU 2013 Food to Bank On Sponsors:
