We were busy bees this spring and summer across all our programs, and we wanted to share some of our biggest wins with you!
Our Food & Farming Program launched the 2025 Farm to Table Trails, eight self-guided routes through Whatcom & Skagit counties that showcase our incredible local food system. Nearly 300 people have downloaded the digital passport and 110 have already checked in – that’s a lot of love for local food! Have you signed up yet?
Since January, our Food Recovery Program has rescued 141,225 lbs. of food from the landfill to help feed community members who need it most! This action not only fights hunger — it also helps our planet by saving 17 million gallons of water that went into producing that food. That’s equivalent to 25 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
Our Housing & Smart Growth Program and the Whatcom Housing Alliance hosted a Developer for a Day workshop and a walking tour of the Lettered Streets to spark community conversations and deepen understanding of how housing is built and shaped. We’re also thrilled to launch our 3rd annual Design Competition focused on reimagining the future of housing through adaptive reuse.
In May and June, over 600 people signed up for our Think Local First Coffee Crawl! We featured 25 local coffee shops and cafes, encouraging our community to bring their own reusable mugs and check in to earn points and win prizes. With an average $10 spent per visit, that’s more than $6,000 poured back into our local economy, one delicious cup at a time!
Our Energy & Green Building Program just wrapped up 25+ energy assessments for small businesses and nonprofits, focusing on those serving our most vulnerable populations, like Lydia Place and Brigid Collins. These upgrades cut carbon emissions, lower utility bills, and improve indoor air comfort – benefits that are essential for children, seniors, and other folks vulnerable to heat, smoke, and extreme weather.
Your support makes everything we do possible. We can’t wait to share even more with you in the second half of 2025. Thank you for being part of our community of changemakers.