Look here to find local businesses and organizations that specialize in food,
gardening and agriculture issues for this region. See our Sustainable Living page for more
food information, too.
Bellingham Food Bank
http://www.bellinghamfoodbank.org
Contact person: Mike Cohen, Executive Director
(360) 676-0392 or bfbanked@openaccess.org
1824 Ellis Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
The Bellingham Food Bank’s mission is to reduce hunger in Bellingham by providing wholesome
foods to those in need on an emergency or chronic basis and by educating the community on the
problem of hunger. We meet this mission by handing out free groceries to any individual or family
that lives in Bellingham. We work hard to serve our neighbors with dignity and without judgment.
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship is very active in it's contributions of food stores in general,
and as well stresses donations be local and/or organic products. Local CSAs have donated the
Bellingham Bank as well. This is a good example where environmentalists and work hand-in-with
social activists to support environmental sustainability and reduce hunger in one solution.
Whatcom Farm to School Initiative
http://www.whatcomfarmtoschool.org
Whatcom Community Foundation; 119 Grand Ave., Suite A, Bellingham, WA 98225
(360)325-6002
The Whatcom Farm-to-School Support Team, funded by the Whatcom Community Foundation's
Sustainable Whatcom Fund, is working to increase the amount of locally produced food
served in schools throughout the county. The Whatcom Farm-to-School Support Team has
initiated a comprehensive array of strategies for increasing school purchases of local
food including: funding 15 farm-to-school pilot projects since 2009; organizing "champions"
in each district to support Food Service Director's efforts to purchase and serve more
fresh local foods; addressing the need to rebuild local processing and distribution
infrastructure; and working with regional and national distribution companies to increase
access to local foods.
Cascadia Food Not Lawns
http://www.foodnotlawns.com
2208 Iron St, Bellingham, WA
360-778-3749
Food Not Lawns is turning Yards into Gardens and Neighborhoods into Communities around the World! We
envison a thriving human ecology, and embrace theories and techniques derived from permaculture, kinship
gardening, ecological design, and biodynamics. We offer educational, organizational, and hands-on services,
such as garden design, events organizing, writing, research, and interactive community workshops. We
specialize in lawn-tossing and community seed swaps!
Center for Local Self Reliance
former site of the Fairhaven Rose Gardens, Bellingham, WA
Steve Wilson, swilson1733@gmail.com
The Center for Local Self Reliance (CLSR) teaches gardening, food preservation, seed saving, medicinal
plant preparation, and other self reliance skills. The Center will be operated by Bellingham neighbors,
builders, gardeners, business owners, and educators who care about our community and see opportunity at
the Caretaker’s House.
Climate Friendly Farming
http://cff.wsu.edu
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA 98264
Agriculture affects the condition of the environment in many ways, including impacts on global warming
through the production of greenhouse gases (Robertson et al., 2000). While agriculture represents a small
but relevant source of greenhouse gas emissions, it has the potential, with new practices, to also act as
a sink, tying up or sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere in the form of soil carbon (Willson et al., 2001;
Lal, 1999). Thus, agricultural systems can be manipulated for the dual benefits of reducing greenhouse
gas emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration.
This 5-year project will focus on dairy production, irrigated crop farming, and dryland grain farming,
three farming systems of importance for Washington State and the world. The project goals are as follows:
• assess the current situation regarding the global warming contribution of three farm systems;
• develop strategies for changing the systems to maximize global warming mitigation; and
• evaluate the actual and potential mitigation through demonstration sites and computer modeling.
The project approaches will include technology research and development, socioeconomic analysis and systems
modeling, on-farm implementation of demonstrations, and educational outreach. Key project tasks will include
development of an improved anaerobic digester for treating dairy waste, development of whole farm nutrient
management strategies and an associated decision support system for dairy farms, integration of reduced tillage
and residue management to increase soil carbon storage, irrigation water management to improve N cycling, and
outreach and education. Expected impacts of the project include the documentation of new technology, farm
practices, and systems that can mitigate multiple environmental problems and lead to measurable improvements
in greenhouse gas storage, water use, and nutrient cycling on farms.
Common Threads Farm
http://www.commonthreadsfarm.org
4050 Sunny Hill Lane
Lummi Island, WA 98262
360-927-1590
laura@commonthreadsfarm.org
At Common Threads Farm, our mission is to promote thoughtful engagement in sustainable food and energy. We
believe:
Life-long health habits are formed when we are young, so positive experiences with healthy, home-grown
food and purposeful, enjoyable physical activity benefit children and youth today and for years to come.
Learning by doing empowers children and youth to make good choices -- for their themselves, their
communities, and their environment.
Children and youth thrive in environments that provide real-word responsibilities, spontaneous learning
opportunities, and clear educational goals.
Community Action Agency/Opportunity Council
Bellingham, WA
http://www.oppco.org/services_ehr.html
The Opportunity Council is a local Community Action Agency serving homeless and
low income people. Our programs work to create positive change, both in the lives
of the people we serve and in our community.
Maple Alley Inn prepares and serves hot, home cooked meals on various days of the weekday at
various locations. Maple Alley Inn has and continues to accept local/organic food donations for their meals
and composts food wastes. Again, another example of addressing sustainability and social justice in one solution.
Community Food Co-op
http://communityfood.coop
1220 N. Forest St., Bellingham
734-8158
The Co-op's mission is to promote a sustainable economy by supporting organic and sustainable food
production and other environmentally and socially responsible businesses locally, regionally, and
nationally. Co-ops around the world, including ours, are founded on the six principles created by
the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society. A seventh principle was adopted by the International Cooperative
Alliance in 1995.
1) Voluntary and open membership—Everyone is welcome to become a member.
2) Democratic member control—One member, one vote.
3) Member economic participation—Your shares are an investment in the Co-op.
4) Autonomy and independence—We are owned by members and operate for member benefit.
5) Education, training, and information—Education opportunities for staff and members.
6) Cooperation among cooperatives—Open communication with other co-ops.
7) Concern for the community—Donations, shared information, and sponsorship of community events.
Community to Community Development
www.foodjustice.org
203 W. Holly, Suite 317 Bellingham, WA 98225
Contact person: Executive Director – Rosalinda Guillen
360-738-0893 decomunidad@qwestoffice.net
Community to Community Development is a women-led, place based, grassroots organization working for a
just society and healthy communities. We work to give a voice to farmworkers in the Bellingham, WA community.
We are committed to creating alliances in order to strengthen local and global movements towards social,
economic and environmental justice. To contribute to the development of a community food system, focusing on
equitable food distribution through gleaning, market retrievals, educational outreach and promoting food
self-reliance choices. Small Potatoes Gleaning Project assists home gardeners in distributing their excess
fruit and vegetables through the Home and Urban Garden Surplus (HUGS) program.
Farming and the Environment
http://www.farmingandtheenvironment.org
Farming and the Environment is a non-profit organization working to protect both the economic vitality of
farming in Washington State and promote the environmental stewardship of the state's working agricultural
landscape. Our programs work to keep farming profitable and ecosystems healthy by providing marketing and
management support of the sale of our Stewardship Farms' products in local markets. Farming and the
Environment began in 2001 when statewide leaders from both the farming and environmental communities
met to discuss whether they could set aside differences and work together to improve the environmental
performance and sustainability of Washington state agriculture. The answer was a resounding yes! We formed
a partnership and created an independent, nonprofit organization complete with an ambitious agenda. The
reason we could all agree on the importance of forming this organization goes back many decades, if not
centuries. Whatcom participants include:
BelleWood Acres
231 Ten Mile Road
Lynden, WA 98264
|
Curt Maberry Farms
729 Loomis Trail Road
Lynden, WA 98264
(360) 354-4504
|
Food To Bank On
http://www.gleaningproject.org
Sustainable Connections, Creekside Building, 1701 Ellis St. Suite 221, Bellingham
Food and Farming Program Manager, Shonie Schlotzhauer
360.647.7093 x106
Founded by the Community Food Co-op's Farm Fund and administered by Sustainable Connections' Food & Farming
program since 2003, this new farmer incubation project creates partnerships among new sustainable agriculture
farmers, experienced growers, and area food banks to provide fresh, organic, and locally grown produce to
low-income community members. The new farmers receive technical assistance, a mentor, attend trade meetings,
and are paid market rates to deliver their produce according to a set crop schedule, thus bringing high quality
food to the hungry and also preparing them to deliver to other clients such as restaurants and grocery
retailers. 20 beginning farmers have participated in the program since its inception 5 years ago. These
farmers not only gained experience but were also paid market rates to deliver thousands of pounds of fresh
produce to local food banks. The community, farmers, and the hungry all benefit from the innovative and
effective work of the Food To Bank On project.
Growing Washington
www.growingwashington.org
P.O. Box 30282
Bellingham , WA 98228
(206) 719-0056
Growing Washington strives to continuously enrich and improve the lives of all Washingtonians by empowering
communities to work together toward mutual goals and by strengthening the sense of connectedness between
individuals and between diverse groups. Growing Washington focuses on four program areas to fulfill this
mission:
• Sustainable Agriculture Program: We believe that Washington 's farmers and ranchers and the people
they help feed depend on each other and are members of the same community. Growing Washington will help
this community realize the long-term benefits of a sustainable, prosperous agriculture.
• Economic and Societal Health Program: We believe that a healthy society both requires and provides
that all individuals be free and politically potent and have equal opportunity to succeed in a free and
sustainable economy. Growing Washington will bring individuals together to ensure Washington's present
and future economic and societal health.
• Environmental and Cultural Preservation Program_We believe that a healthy society must preserve the
diverse environmental and cultural legacies from which it draws its strength. Growing Washington will
seek to foster appreciation of these legacies and to ensure their preservation by bringing together
Washington 's stakeholders to integrate diverse approaches to community decision-making.
Herb Crafters
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
Contact Person: Carolyn Feffer; 847-828-7182; cfunker@gmail.com
Herb Crafters is a place for people interested in herbal health to get together to make medicines,
share recipes, and learn about the sustainable use of herbs.
Just Food
http://www.growingwashington.org/whatcom_just_food_info.php
Growing Washington, P.O. Box 30282, Bellingham , WA 98228
Clayton Burrows, Director: (206) 719-0056
Just Food is Whatcom County’s charitable Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) system*. Growing Washington
has created a fund that subsidizes the price of a season’s worth of produce from CSA farms for people of lower
incomes.
Northwest Earth Institute
http://www.nwei.org/
The Northwest Earth Institute is recognized as a national leader in the development of innovative programs
that empower individuals and organizations to transform culture toward a sustainable and enriching future.
Today, NWEI offers seven study guides for small groups. These self-guided discussion courses are offered in
workplaces, universities, homes, faith centers, neighborhoods, and community centers throughout North America.
Each program encourages participants to explore values, attitudes, and actions through discussion with other
people.
Courses include:
• Global Warming: Changing CO2urse
• Choices for Sustainable Living
• Menu for the Future
• Voluntary Simplicity--Just Revised!!
• Healthy Children-Healthy Planet
• Discovering a Sense of Place
• Exploring Deep Ecology
BUF has already run three of NWEI's courses and plans to offer more next year.
Small Potatoes Gleaning Project
http://www.gleaningproject.org
2518 Central Rd
Everson, WA 98247
(360)966-2533
glean@openaccess.org
What is gleaning? Gleaning is the ancient practice of gathering food left in the field after harvest.
Program Mission: To contribute to the development of a community food system, focusing on equitable food
distribution through gleaning, market retrievals, educational outreach and promoting food self- reliance.
Fresh vegetables & fruit from local farms nourish us all: Small Potatoes Gleaning Project bridges the
gap between local surplus produce that would otherwise be wasted and those who are hungry in Whatcom County.
Thanks to the combined efforts of farmers, farm workers, and volunteers, over twenty five TONS (53,114) lbs
of fresh produce was gleaned and distributed to over 30 sites and to low income participants around Whatcom
County in 2007.
Students for Sustainable Food
http://www.as.wwu.edu/clubs/categorical/?type=ENV
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
To facilitate a campus wide movement towards getting more nutritious choices, local foods and organic foods
into all dining areas of the WWU campus. Provide students with an integrated, passionate education about the
opportunities in sustainable food systems, agriculture and food security in the Whatcom County area and Washington
State.
Uprising Seeds: Organic and OP Seeds grown in and adapted for the Pacific NW
http://www.uprisingorganics.com
2208 Iron St, Bellingham, WA
360-778-3749
We are a small but growing regional seed company serving gardeners and small farmers in the Puget Sound region
and beyond with high quality, 100% Certified Organic seed. We offer about 75 varieties of organic, open
pollinated, and heirloom vegetable and flower seeds adapted the unique growing conditions of our region. All
our seed is grown in exclusively in Washington and adjoining states (ID, OR) to preserve the local nature of
our business. About 65-75% of the seeds we offer are grown at our home farm near Bellingham, with the remainder
contracted direct to our small network of very experienced and wonderful family farmers. Our work is a labor of
love, and inspired by the increasingly political nature of the seed trade. Our goal is to create a truly
regional seed source for NW growers and to support the growth of an organic farm direct seed economy in our
region. write to request our small catalogue and look for a website soon. E-mail inquiries best, we can be
slow to return phonecalls.
Whatcom County Agriculture Advisory Commission
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/boards/agricultural.jsp
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 108, Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 676-6717/384-1403
Purpose: Provides review and recommendations to the Whatcom County Council on issues that affect agriculture.
The AAC also provides a forum for farmers and others interested in enhancing and promoting the long-term
viability of Whatcom County agriculture. Authority: RES 2009-002, WCC 2.34
Includes Representatives of:
• Whatcom County Conservation District Board
• Whatcom Farm Friends
• Agricultural Processor (Large and small scale producers of various agricultural commodities)
• Agricultural Products Consumer, citizen representative
Ex-Officio:
• Representative of WSU Cooperative Extension
• Natural Resource Conservation Service
• FFA Youth
• Whatcom County Department of Planning and Development Services
Whatcom Farm Friends
http://www.wcfarmfriends.com/go/inquiry/1579
1796 Front Street, Lynden, Washington 98264
360-354-1337
email: farmfriends@wcfarmfriends.com
Agriculture in Whatcom County needs and deserves a unified and powerful voice to protect and sponsor its
interests. Farm Friends focuses their Programs, Projects and Activities through the following Mission, Purpose
and Objectives:
Mission: To preserve and enhance agriculture as an important industry and quality of life for Whatcom
County through policy management, advocacy, business improvement, education and outreach.
Purpose: To help farmers produce quality foods and be protectors of our natural resources in Whatcom County.
Objectives
1. Foster fair and fact-based public policies for the agricultural industry
2. Preserve at least 100,000 acres of agricultural farmland in the County
3. Improve the economics of farm operations to assure sustainability and prosperity
4. Define succession plans and programs with farmers to assure the continuance of farming and farmland
5. Build county-wide communities of support for agriculture to create harmony as the County continues to grow
Whatcom Fresh
P.O. Box 735, Lynden 98264
Derek Long and Farm Friends
360.354.1337 or wcfarmfriends@aol.com
Whatcom County farms strive to grow the best produce, preserve a strong rural community and serve as stewards
of the land.There is a Whatcom Fresh label on berries, lettuce, herbs, apples and other produce distrubuted
locally.
