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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 consnumers Buy FRESH!

Education:

Food To Bank On connects beginning sustainable farms with training, mentors & market support while providing fresh high-quality food to Whatcom's hungry. 16 farms have graduated or are enrolled in the program, and have received support beginning their farms and businesses. In 2006, Whatcom food banks received $10,000 in fresh produce from these farmers.

Connections:

Trade Meetings bring Whatcom food buyers & producers together twice annually. Attendance continues to grow, our latest meeting brought over 70 producers and buyers together.
Farm Tours bring chefs & retailers into farmers' fields to introduce them & establish market relationships. Numerous connections arose from our 2006 tour, in which 9 chefs & buyers explored 5 local farms.
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 2007 farm map has grown to include 64 local farms, and 10,000 copies have already been distributed to the public!
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.