Food & Farming
The Food & Farming Program is helping to create a vibrant local food economy. We support local farmers, connect food buyers to local farms and artisans, and encourage our community to always Eat Local First! We are proud founders of the Eat Local First Campaign and the Whatcom County Farm Tour. We excel in farmer training and run a farmer incubator program. We believe that changing our local food system can change the world, join us!
Food & Farming Program Member Benefits
Join as a business member of Sustainable Connections and get general member benefits plus those specific to our program!
• Free participation in the Eat Local First Campaign
• Member rate on Farm-to-Table Trade Meeting registration
• Opportunites for Member Spotlight features in Eat Local First Newsletter and Blog (3,000 Subscribers)
• Priority promotion on Eat Local First NW Instagram and Facebook channels
• Free consultation and direct connections with local farmers and food buyers
• Free participation as an Eat Local Month restaurant
• Member rate on Chef Farm Tour as a buyer (save $10)
• Opportunity to participate as a farm on Chef Farm Tour
• Member rate to participate on Whatcom Farm Tour
Projects & Programs
Creating
Business
Connections
- NW WA Farm-To-Table Trade Meeting
- Farmer Chef Mixers
- Wholesale Product Directory
- Become a Farm Fresh Workplace
- NW WA Food & Farming Business Groups & Listservs
Connecting the Community to Local Food
- Eat Local First Campaign
- WA Food & Farm Finder
- Farm to Table Trail
- Print Resources: NW Food & Farm Finder, Culinary Itineraries
- Farm Share (CSA) Finder
Community Events:
- Whatcom County Farm Tour
- Eat Local Month
- Demo Days (currently suspended due to COVID-19 precautions)
Building
Successful Farm
Businesses
- Farmer’s Marketing Toolkit
- Cloud Mountain Farm Center Farmer Education
- Eat Local First Collaborative
- Grower Guide
- Collaboration with Nortwest Agriculture Business Center to provide Technical Assistance Workshops for Growers:
- Scaling Up for Wholesale Production
- Cooperative Crop Planning
- Regional Food Systems Farmer Curriculum
Cloud Mountain Farm Center
Sustainable Connections and Cloud Mountain Farm Center merged together into one nonprofit in early 2019. We’ve had a long history of collaboration and the merger offered an opportunity for us to maximize community impact and extend our missions.
Program Impacts
Business consultations for food & farming businesses
Consumers engaged annually
Million dollars in local sales generated as a result of the program
Annual Promotions
Eat Local First
The Food & Farming Program launched the Eat Local First campaign in 2011 to encourage all to choose local food first. It is the trusted source for finding truly local food. We provide business participants with the support and resources to continue to grow their business.
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 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.
Think Local First Holiday Promotions 2023
As the holiday season unfolds, Sustainable Connections proudly introduces a variety of innovative ways for consumers to support and celebrate local businesses. This comprehensive approach encompasses Think Local First Gift Cards, a Think Local First Passport, Community Calendar, and the Think Local First Friday Makers Market.
How a Pig Farm and Chocolate Company Work Together to Reduce Waste
Photo courtesy Katie Pencke and Matthew McDermott, courtesy of Alluvial FarmsOn a cold morning in late October, the pigs at Alluvial Farms in Everson are sleeping, roaming the pasture, and eating – a fairly typical day in the lives of these animals. Farmers Katie...
Fall and Winter CSAs: Harvest Bounty Year-Round
Boldly Grown Farm There’s a chill in the air and the rains are here – autumn has finally come to Northwest Washington. And while we’re relishing in the chance to break out our favorite teas and coziest sweaters, we can’t help but reminisce about glorious summer days...
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