Community Food Co-op Farm Fund Distributes Grants to Local Farming Projects

--Press Release from the Community Food Co-op--

Bellingham, Washington – March 1, 2013: The Community Food Co-op’s Farm Fund has directed $15,431 to 12 local farms and food and farming projects – the largest grant allocation in the program’s 11 year history. Donations by the Community Food Co-op, co-op shoppers and local organizations allow the Farm Fund to support projects that build the market for local farms, encourage ecological and socially responsible stewardship of farmland and increase community access to healthy, local food.

The 2013 recipients are Uprising Seeds, Sage and Sky Farm, Bow Hill Blueberries, Bellingham Food Bank, Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Ferndale Public Market, WSU–Whatcom County Extension, Backyard Beans and Grains Project, Whatcom Food Network, Local Food Works, York Neighborhood Association and Growing Veterans.

“This is terrific news,” stated Max Morange, Agricultural Programs coordinator at the Bellingham Food Bank. "Sincere thanks to the Farm Fund. Investments like this one from the Farm Fund make innovative programming possible and allow Bellingham Food Bank to directly support local farmers at the same time that we realize a huge return for hungry families. This year's Farm Fund grant will enable our Seed Money program to provide early season dollars to three local farms which in turn will grow organic beets and cabbage for the Small Potatoes Gleaning Project to harvest and deliver to the food bank."

The Farm Fund also provides a revolving loan fund for local farmers, supported with grants from the Sustainable Whatcom Fund of the Whatcom Community Foundation.

For more information about the Farm Fund, go to the Co-op website at www.communityfood.coop and click on the Farm Fund icon on the left, or contact Jean Rogers at the Community Food Co-op at jeanr@communityfood.coop/734-8158 ext. 217.

About the Community Food Co-op
The Community Food Co-op is a consumer-owned natural foods grocer with two locations serving Bellingham and Whatcom County with quality products. Both Community Food Co-op stores are full-service supermarkets and feature a full array of departments including certified organic produce, a deli cafe, bakery, wine shop, bulk foods, flower shop, health and wellness, mercantile area, meat and seafood market, and espresso bar. Established in 1970, the Co-op provides ongoing support for local farmers and community organizations. For more information, please visit www.communityfood.coop.

Community Food Co-op Farm Fund Distributes Grants to Local Farming Projects

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