Meeting with Sustainable Connections and Farm-to-Table Workshop

We had a meeting this morning with a group of folks from Sustainable Connections, which is, according to their website a "non-profit membership organization of 600+ NW Washington business and community leaders working to transform and model an economy built on sustainable practices. We envision business practices that lead to Strong Community, Healthy Environment, Meaningful Employment, and Buying Local First as commonplace in our region and a model for the rest of the world."

We sat down together to try to figure out where we might be able to partner with each other and which messages we would try to push in 2009. Essentially, we were trying to get on the same page so that we can help each other out. I think it was a really productive meeting and helped us find some great opportunities for collaboration this year. In fact, we have a collaborative event coming up in the near future:

North Sound Farm-to-Table Workshop

Join us for an afternoon workshop to network and discuss how to strengthen our local foodsystem in the Northern Puget Sound counties.

Who: Farmers, food artisans, local food processors, vintners, chefs, bakers, restaurateurs, grocers, and school, hospital, or nursing home food service representatives interested in direct marketing opportunities.

What: A networking meeting to connect local farmers and producers with local food buyers. An educational workshop to share and discuss solutions to barriers within our local foodsystem.

When: Monday March 2nd, 2009 1-5pm

Where: WSU – Mount Vernon Research and Education Center

Sponsors:
WSDA – Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program
WSDA – Farm-to-School Program
Northwest Agriculture Business Center
Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland
Sustainable Connections

Contact Information: Mark McIntyre (206)632-0606 mark@cascadeharvest.org

If anyone is interested in attending, please let me know!