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The local food team shares articles, exclusive interviews, and project updates that tell the story of how we are building a stronger, more resilient local food system. To measure the success of local food programs, we have identified 10 indicators of success that measure how well we are doing in our efforts to create a stronger, more affordable food system. Each article is directly connected to one or more of our 10 indicators of success which are shown below and will also be shown in each article. Click on the indicator icons for more information about our initiative!
Have you visited Farm King County's Food Systems Data Center?
The Food System Data Center combines an interactive mapping platform with information and data on local agriculture to tell the story of our local farm and food system. The project was developed by multiple public agencies and non-profit organizations committed to using data to better understand, analyze and measure the health and viability of our food system. More data will be published very soon, so stay updated with our newsletter and blog!
Together, King County, Viva Farms, SnoValley Tilth, and Tilth Alliance created a resource guide to assist and inform aspiring farmers in:
- Learning how to farm,
- Developing a business and marketing plan,
- Financing their farm business,
- Getting required permitting and licensing, and
- Finding a place to farm.
This guide provides resources, tips, and information on programs that can help farmers reach their farm business goals. No matter where you are in this process, whether you want to learn how to farm or you are ready to access credit to support and grow your operation, this guide can help you figure out where to start and assess the options available to you. Download the guide here to get started on the right path to farm business success!
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Urban agriculture is empowering communities across King County. Whether it’s reintroducing culturally significant foods in an area where they are scarce, or giving people access to land in order to learn a new skill, the impact is felt far and wide.
The Local Food Team began sharing the stories of a selection of Urban Farmers from the South County Urban Ag Network to highlight the benefits of urban agriculture three months ago. We will continue by sharing White Center Food Bank's story, which is the final story of this series.
The mission of White Center Food Bank is to nourish community, nurture self-reliance, and embrace White Center’s rich cultural diversity. They operate a grocery store on site, which includes a baby pantry for diapers, formula, and baby food, and run mobile food bank programs for seniors and disabled customers, and manage community gardens down the street.
The food bank is situated in White Center, a small, non-annexed area bordered by West Seattle, Burien, and Highline. Food banks are a critical source of community support for individuals and families struggling with economic hardship that leaves them without enough money to buy food.
The mission of White Center Food Bank is not just to provide people access to any food, but culturally relevant food. The majority of food bank customers are immigrants, and their cultural foods aren’t provided by the typical food bank.
For people in many cultures, eating and sharing their food is a method of connecting with family, culture, ancestors, and spirituality. Having access to fresh, culturally relevant food nourishes not only the physical body, but the spirit in intangible ways.
Continue reading White Center Food Bank's story and other urban agriculture stories here. Image of the inside of the White Center Food Bank grocery store, courtesy of Esmeralda Manjarrez.
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Have you read Fortune’s recent article about the innovative ways restaurants are improving eating and community experiences around the country? If so, you may have heard about a new food hall opening in Tukwila.
The Local Food Team recently spoke with Kara Martin, Food Innovation Network (FIN) Program Director, about the grand opening and importance of the Tukwila Village Food Hall to food entrepreneurs in King County.
This spring, FIN will open Tukwila Village Food Hall, the future home of the FIN’s Food Business Incubator to help entrepreneurs launch food businesses, providing training, mentorship, subsidized commercial kitchen access, and support with permitting, licensing, menu planning, and marketing.
The Food Hall will support local entrepreneurs who are an important part of King County by providing access to a commercial kitchen, restaurant space, and a community hub – a place where people can gather to learn about and celebrate the community’s rich food traditions.
The new food hall facility will help low-income women, immigrants, and refugees launch and build food businesses. The commercial kitchen will accommodate up to twenty businesses, nine of which will sell prepared food in the dining area. The names of those businesses will be announced soon, so please keep an eye out for more details.
Read more on King County DNRP's blog here.
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 The Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture is a bilingual (English-Spanish) hands-on, applied course in Certified Organic production and small farm business management. Over the course of the 3-quarter program, participants will apply knowledge and practice techniques of sustainable agricultural production on a certified organic parcel located at the Viva Farms incubator.
The Practicum is offered as a fully accredited program in partnership with Skagit Valley College, Seattle Central Community College and the Sustainable Agriculture Education (SAgE) Collaborative. The course takes place over 3 academic quarters each season from early April through mid-November and meets during weekday evenings. The Spring and Summer quarters focus on production practices and farm operations and the Fall quarter moves into applied business management.
Applications are due on February 14th. Please email practicum@vivafarms.org or call 360-969-7191 x2 for more information. Visit Viva Farms' website to apply today!
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