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
- Northwest Washington Eat Local First Trade Meeting
- Eat Local First Mixers
- NW WA Food & Farming Listserv
Connecting the Community to Local Food
Building
Successful Farm
Businesses
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! Learn more here.
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!
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.
Our New Years Resolution: Eat Loaf-al First
If your New Years resolutions are anything like ours, then you’ll be prioritizing LOCAL FOOD and CARBS in 2025! Northwest Washington is rich with delicious breads, pastries, and grains. Often, these grains are grown and processed right here in Washington State -...
Stories from the Sea: Women in Commercial Fishing and Aquaculture
Women play key roles in commercial fishing and fishing communities, and we’re sharing a few of their stories, including what drew them to the profession, what term they prefer to be called (fisherwoman? Fisherman? Fisherperson? Fisher?!), the sustainability interwoven...
Eat Local First This Thanksgiving
Autumnal delights abound at the Bellingham Farmers Market, like this apple cider from Cloud Mountain Farm CenterThis Thanksgiving season, we're feeling grateful for the land and seas that provide us with nourishing food, the folks who steward them, and our loved ones...
Thank you to our program sponsors!
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