Local food for all: KC and KCD launch 2024 refresh of the Local Food Initiative and Regional Food System Program
King County took a big step in becoming a leader in metropolitan food systems planning in 2014 when Executive Dow
Tag: farming
Bumblebee Farm celebrates the fun of farming with unique vegetables
“The point of growing your own food is to grow things that you can’t get anywhere else,” Bumblebee Farm co-owner-operator
Continue readingBumblebee Farm celebrates the fun of farming with unique vegetables
King County awarded USDA funding to support underrepresented farmers
King County was recently awarded $2.5 million to help improve access to land, capital, and markets for underserved farmers, ranchers,
Continue readingKing County awarded USDA funding to support underrepresented farmers
Hmong Association of Washington seeks to support farmers with development of new cooperative
Vibrant flower bouquets are one of the beloved farmer’s market items in King County, but in March 2020 as farmer’s markets temporarily closed due to the emerging coronavirus pandemic and the statewide “Stay Home Stay Healthy” order, flower growers across the region had no place to sell their bouquets.
According to the Washington Hmong Farmers Cooperative, about 80% of the flower stands at Pike Place Market and other farmer’s markets throughout the region are owned by Hmong farmers.Continue readingHmong Association of Washington seeks to support farmers with development of new cooperative
Support for flower growers in King County impacted by COVID-19
Many King County farmers are impacted by the temporary suspension of farmers markets due to COVID-19. Flower growers in particular experience unique challenges because they rely heavily on farmers markets for sales.Continue readingSupport for flower growers in King County impacted by COVID-19
Sweet Harvest Farm: Staying passionate in the face of farming challenges
Sweet Harvest Farm is a small vegetable farm located a mile outside Carnation, Washington that uses sustainable growing practices aimed at providing produce with the best taste and nutrition possible. The Local Food team spoke with Margaret Hindle, owner of Sweet Harvest, to hear about her small-scale farming operation, the challenges to small-scale farming, and how she has connected her passion for growing food to her other passions.Continue readingSweet Harvest Farm: Staying passionate in the face of farming challenges
All King County farmers markets are now open for the season!
With more than 40 farmers markets spread across King County you are never far from farm fresh, local food. All of the King County farmers markets are now open for the summer season.
Read about farmers market fun facts, how you can find the closest farmers market to you, and market tips and tricks to help you prepare for your next visit in this blog post!Continue readingAll King County farmers markets are now open for the season!
Mental Health Awareness Month: Learn about how you can support mental health for farmers
In 2019, Washington farmers and their families are facing tough challenges – increased development pressures, economic uncertainties, and spring weather challenges have added to the normal stresses of farming. Barriers to getting help may be equally challenging. Where can farmers go for support to deal with these stressful times?
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and King County is dedicated to supporting mental health for farmers this month and every month. Farmers are a high-risk population, with suicide rates consistently above those of the general population. Read this blog post to read about the resources that may help if you are a farmer who needs to talk to someone, or you are someone who is worried about a farmer.Continue readingMental Health Awareness Month: Learn about how you can support mental health for farmers
Farmstand Local Foods: Addressing barriers to small-scale farmers through distribution efforts
Farmstand Local Foods is an organization that links urban commercial customers to a diverse range of local ingredients through the use of a modern, convenient ordering and delivery system. Farmstand focuses on facilitating and maintaining connections between producers and consumers to demonstrate the value and importance of viable local farms.
The Local Food team interviewed Austin Becker, Farmstand Local Foods manager, to better understand how Farmstand serves small-scale farmers through farm-to-restaurant connections and distribution efforts.Continue readingFarmstand Local Foods: Addressing barriers to small-scale farmers through distribution efforts
The story of The Grange restaurant: why investing in local food matters to restaurants, farmers, and consumers
Many organizations in King County exist to support the farm-to-restaurant pipeline. The Seattle Good Business Network (SGBN) is an organization that connects and inspires people to buy, produce, and invest locally, so that everyone has a meaningful stake in the local economy. The Local Food team interviewed Andrea Porter, SGBN Seattle Made Program Manager, to learn more about why local food matters to restaurants and consumers.
After better understanding why local food matters to restaurants and their customers, the Local Food Team interviewed Luke Woodward, farmer, owner of The Grange restaurant, and part-time program manager of the Northwest Agriculture Business Center, to better understand how his extensive farming experience has influenced his restaurant decisions to source locally.Continue readingThe story of The Grange restaurant: why investing in local food matters to restaurants, farmers, and consumers