Regional Food System Project

Puget Sound Regional Food System Project
Food Processor Survey
Farmer Survey 

 A key project of NABC is to help create a regional processing center to be shared by Northwest Washington agricultural producers. This center would include co-packing facilities that would be used by local farms and related businesses.

Food producers and processors are invited to participate in a Northwest Washington agricultural survey to help us learn more about processing needs and facility availability.  Producers and processors may click on the appropriate links below to contribute toward this effort.   Deadline for response: September 1st.  All responses will be kept completely confidential.

NABC is participating in a regional effort led by the Cascade Harvest Coalition (CHC) to examine the feasibility of establishing a multi-purpose agricultural processing facility - just one strategy to ensure a safe, fresh, local food supply. Processing facilities would serve farmers in the Puget Sound Region as they meet the growing demand for locally grown and processed food products. The Carolyn Foundation is funding a strategic planning process bringing together producers, food buyers, business leaders and local decision makers to look at the entire food chain from farm to consumer. The Carolyn Foundation of Minneapolis is a family foundation which funds programs that effect positive change now and for the future.

Mary Embleton
Cascade Harvest Coalition
(206) 632-0606

The initial planning group included the following organizations; additional organizations are joining this core group as the project moves forward.

Cascade Harvest Coalition
Charlie's Produce
Children's Hospital
Full Circle Organic Farm
Island Grown Farmers Cooperative
Northwest Agricultural Business Center
Organically Grown Company 
PCC Natural Markets
Skagit Farmers Supply Cooperative
Snohomish County
WSDA Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program
WSU King County Extension
WSU Small Farms Team
WSU Snohomish County Extension

Watch NABC's Web site for more information as the project develops.

 Progress Reports
October 22, 2007
February 25, 2008