Washington State Department of Corrections Seeks Local Farm Vendors

Washington State Department of Corrections has embraced the challenge to improve sustainability in its facilities.  Several prisons already have inmate garden programs.  To build on this effort, they are launching a local produce purchasing pilot program at Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen and Monroe Correctional Facility in Monroe for the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons.  These facilities are calling for farms to participate as direct market vendors in the program.  The Monroe and Stafford Creek facilities each have programs for inmate food processing and preparation.  Farms will be encouraged to sell produce in a field-packed, unprocessed state in order to keep costs low and optimize the benefits to both buyer and seller.

BONUS OPPORTUNITY: If you are interested, and want to get started early, we are seeking farms who have product to sell to Monroe Correctional Facility, who can deliver on April 19th and do a tasting for an Earth Day event they are having.  Please call ASAP if you’d like to participate.

For PSFN members who are interested in more information contact Tricia Kovacs.
Phone:  206-256-6150
tkovacs@agr.wa.gov