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
Creating
Business
Connections
![](https://sustainableconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/FoodAndFarmingConnections.jpg)
- Northwest Washington Eat Local First Trade Meeting
- Eat Local First Mixers
- NW WA Food & Farming Listserv
Connecting the Community to Local Food
![](https://sustainableconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/FoodandFarmingCommunity.jpg)
- Eat Local First Campaign
- WA Food & Farm Finder
- Farm to Table Trails
- Farm Share (CSA) Finder
- Regional Food Storytelling
Community Events:
- Whatcom County Farm Tour
- Eat Local Month
- Day on the Bay
Building
Successful Farm
Businesses
![](https://sustainableconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/FarmingTraining.jpg)
Annual Promotions
![FTTT Square](https://sustainableconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/FTTT-Square.jpg)
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 square](https://sustainableconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/Farm-to-Table-Trails-square-1.png)
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 square](https://sustainableconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/Farm-to-Table-Trails-square-2.jpg)
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.
![Farm to Table Trails (square) (3)](https://sustainableconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/Farm-to-Table-Trails-square-3.jpg)
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.
![](https://sustainableconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/EatLocalFirstCiaoThyme.jpg)
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!
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.
Find Your Adventure on the Farm to Table Trails
Northern Whatcom County offers gorgeous vistas, delicious berries, and fun for the whole family. Not to mention, it’s a whole lot more peaceful than bustling Bellingham! The Farm to Table Trails are an exciting way to explore this region. Start your day at Barbie’s...
Explore Berry Farms on the Farm to Table Trails
Summer in Northwest Washington is magical and memorable for many reasons. One of our favorite things about this season? The absolute abundance of berries! Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries (as well as other varieties of drupeleted delights)...
Find Full Bloom Farm on the Farm to Table Trails: Food, Flowers, and Family on Lummi Island
Full Bloom Farm is a small family-owned and -operated farm offering a wide variety of produce, pastured chicken eggs, flowers, solar-evaporated sea salt, and dry goods sold in their farm stand on Lummi Island. Their farm stand embodies Lummi Island’s culture of...