Transition Whatcom

Food to Bank On Applications

Event Details

Food to Bank On Applications

Time: November 1, 2010 all day
Location: Sustainable Connections
Street: 1701 Ellis St.
City/Town: Bellingham, WA
Website or Map: http://www.sustainableconnect…
Phone: 360.647.7093 x114
Event Type: beginning, farmer, training, program
Organized By: Sara Southerland
Latest Activity: Oct 2, 2010

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Event Description

Applications are now available for the 2011 Food to Bank On, a Sustainable Connections project that connects beginning sustainable farmers with training, mentors and market support while providing fresh high-quality food to Whatcom's hungry.

The Food To Bank On (FTBO) program provides farmers with less than three years experience with a consistent source of income at market rates, and helps them learn the intricacies of seasonal production and delivery. Twenty-seven farmers have participated in the three-year program.

Participants also gain business training, farmer-mentors, an educational stipend, marketing assistance and are paid market rates to deliver thousands of pounds of fresh produce to local food banks. This training provides a foundation to build their business through relationships with retailers and restaurants, and seasoned area farmers.

The fledgling farmer-run businesses offer products ranging from produce to medicinal herbs, mushrooms to eggs, reflecting the goal of diversifying locally-available agricultural products. In 2009, Food To Bank On farms delivered 5,000 lbs of food worth over $9,000 to area food banks, soup kitchens, shelters and social service agencies.

“The business planning series was a huge help to me,” said Alex Winstead of Cascadia Mushrooms, a 3rd year Food to Bank On farmer. “The skills I learned have already been put to good use in applying to finance the expansion at my farm.”

Please help spread the word!

2011 Food to Bank On applications are due November 1 and are available at http://sustainableconnections.org/foodfarming/FTBO. For more information contact Sara Southerland at sara@sconnect.org.

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Comment by Heather K on October 2, 2010 at 12:33pm
Beginning market-gardeners & farmers might be very interested in this grant & educational opportunity sponsored by Sustainable Connections.
Be sure to look at the website link for more info.

Sara, thanks for posting this information!
You might also pass the info on to both the Earth Gardens group on this Transition whatcom site, and also have it posted in Shannon's Garden E-News, where many of the local garden/farm related events are shared.

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