(Press Release) Bellingham, WA, March 25, 2014 –Sustainable Connections announces the release of the 2015 Whatcom Food & Farm Finder. Available on the opening day of the Bellingham Farmers Market on April 4 at Depot Market Square, the guide is produced and published by Sustainable Connections. It is available for free and made possible by support and contributions from Whatcom County, the City of Bellingham, Community Food Co-op, Bellingham Farmers Market, and Haggen.

A comprehensive map and guide to local food and agriculture, the Whatcom Food & Farm Finder will be distributed to over 250 locations throughout Whatcom and neighboring counties after it makes its debut at the Bellingham Farmers Market. It will also be available online at www.eatlocalfirst.org.

The Whatcom Food & Farm Finder is the go-to resource for Whatcom County residents to find local food. “Explore local farms, taste wines, or try a new restaurant!” said Sara Southerland, Sustainable Connections’ Food & Farming Program Manager. “It’s a great resource for residents who want to know where their food comes from and visitors too.”

Inside the Whatcom Food & Farm Finder, 123 local businesses offer everything from apples to zucchini, locally made spirits to heritage animals and specialty cheese, fine dining to casual fare and one-stop shopping locales. It also contains a fold out map for easy navigation and helps residents:

 

• Eat with the seasons
• Seek u-pick and farm stands
• Celebrate at local food & farm events
• Find organic farms and meet farmers
• Learn about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares
• Source from fishers and ranchers
• Learn about the importance of  local food and agriculture

 

Sustainable Connections also provides a list of local farmers providing CSAs. A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a partnership with a local farm where customers pay upfront at the beginning of the season, and in return receive a weekly box full of fresh food directly from the farm. The directory is available online or at both locations of the Community Food Co-op.

In addition, employers interested in becoming a Farm Fresh Workplace and having fresh food delivered right to their place of employment can find an online toolkit complete with details about how to organize a Workplace CSA, policies to consider, how to select a farmer and why a CSA champion might be beneficial. Most farmers will drop off CSA shares to any destination with 5 or more members, so churches, neighborhoods and small businesses are encouraged to pool their resources together to form a drop off site. “We want to make it as convenient as possible for consumers and farmers to connect with each other,” said Southerland.

While those publications are geared toward Whatcom County residents, out of town visitors might be interested in another new publication by Sustainable Connections: The NW Washington Culinary Agritourism Map. Distributed regionally from Seattle to Vancouver as a destination guide to visiting all things food related in Washington’s northwest corner, the map will be available in May. It is designed to help connect visitors with local farm adventures, farm-to-table dining options, farmers markets, wineries & breweries, lodging and more. Whether visitor are looking for a romantic weekend or an action packed vacation with activities for the whole family, the NW Washington Culinary Agritourism Map can be a useful tool in planning their adventure.

 

What: 2015 Whatcom Food & Farm Finder Release

When: Saturday, April 4, 2015

Where: Bellingham Farmers Market at the Depot Market Square

More info: http://sustainableconnections.org/events/2015-2016-food-and-farm-finder-release

 

What: Directory of Local Farms offering CSAs

When: currently available

Where: sustainable.connections.org and both locations of Community Food Co-op

More info: http://sustainableconnections.org/bizdev/workplace-csas/2015-csa-farmers

 

What: Workplace CSA Toolkit

When: currently available online

Where: sustainable.connections.org

More info: http://sustainableconnections.org/bizdev/workplace-csas/workplace-csas

 

What: NW Washington Culinary Agritourism Map

When: May

Where: Visitor centers and brochure racks from Seattle to lower British Columbia

More info: http://sustainableconnections.org/foodfarming/guidetoeatinglocal