Food & Farming

The Food & Farming Program helps create a vibrant local food economy. We support local farmers, fishermen, and food artisans by connecting them to local buyers and encouraging our community to always Eat Local First! We are proud founders of the Eat Local First Campaign, Eat Local First Trade Meeting, Eat Local Month, and the Whatcom County Farm Tour. We believe that building a strong, resilient regional food system benefits our whole community. Stay up to date on our Facebook and Instagram.

 

Projects & Programs

Annual Promotions

Farm to Table Trails

By participating in one (or more!) of the Farm To Table Trails, you’ll have the opportunity to explore local destinations while savoring delectable treats and experiencing Northwest Washington treasures. Use the digital trail to check in, earn points, and win prizes! 

 
Whatcom County Farm Tour

The Whatcom County Farm Tour offers a unique opportunity to meet the folks who grow and raise our food and learn more about how that food makes it from the farm to our plate. This self-guided event is FREE for all ages!

 
Eat Local Month

Every year we celebrate Eat Local Month, a chance to say thank you to our local food producers, restaurants, and artisans. Savor restaurant specials, enjoy farm tours and connect with where your food comes from.

Eat Local First Trade Meeting

The Eat Local First Trade Meeting is NW Washington’s premier Food & Farming Business Conference. We bring together 180+ farmers, fishers, chefs, grocery buyers, food artisans, processors, and distributors for one day filled with valuable networking and connection opportunities, a vibrant expo, inspiring business panels, one-on-one producer/buyer consultations, and the ever-delicious locally sourced lunch.

Cloud Mountain Farm Center

Sustainable Connections and Cloud Mountain Farm Center merged together into one nonprofit in early 2019, giving us the opportunity to maximize community impact and extend our mission. Our downtown Food and Farming team works to promote and build awareness for local food and connect buyers and sellers. Our on-farm Cloud Mountain Farm Center team offers farmer education, student career exploration, nursery sales, and aggregation services. Together we impact multiple facets of the our local food economy! 

The Food & Farming Program is unmatched, we have not heard of anything in the country that works so well.

-Business Member

Sustainable Connections has been invaluable in growing our farm sales. We couldn’t have done what we have without them.

– Business Member

The Food and Farming Program has given our farm more support and aligned us with new customers more than any other community resource.

– Local Farm 

Eat Local First Videos

Local Champions Blog

Our community is full of local food champions. Learn about the people behind your favorite local food and farming businesses and how they are putting people and planet first. 

Food and Fish Coming to the Portal Container Village

Food and Fish Coming to the Portal Container Village

The Portal is Whatcom County’s container village hub, located at the heart of the Downtown Bellingham’s Waterfront. It currently features six local businesses creatively operating out of shipping containers including Kulshan Brewery and a rotating retail shop for...

Sustainable Connections Launches Solarize Whatcom

Sustainable Connections Launches Solarize Whatcom

Bellingham, WA, March 5, 2024, Sustainable Connections is excited to announce the launch of Solarize Whatcom, a new solar energy program available through July 4th. This program supports Whatcom County residents who are curious about installing solar panels on their...

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