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King County Member Training and F2T Child Care Kickoff!

Yesterday, PSFN hosted the King County Member Training sessions and participated in the F2T Child Care Pilot Kickoff hosted by City of Seattle Early Learning and Family Support Division (ELFS). The events had been booked on the same day for the same time, so we figured, “Why not hold just the events right next door to one another?” It ended up being a big hit. The events were held at the 2100 Building in Seattle, a building which houses thirteen nonprofit organizations which connect kids to the community that supports them, and has public meeting venues. Because of the convenient location, PSFN staff was able to attend both events; producer members attending member trainings were able to pop their head into the enlivening Child Care Kickoff, learn about the project and its sales opportunities; and the early learning and school age community was able to meet some of the producers they’ll be working with. Talk about a new community truly coming together!

The King County Training Session was the second of five PSFN Member Trainings this spring. The Skagit Training sessions were held March 7, and upcoming trainings include: Snohomish County on April 6 at the Snohomish County Extension Office; Island County on May 4 at the Coupeville Public Library; and Whatcom County, TBA. The one-on-one training sessions are an opportunity for PSFN members to sit down with their individual Account Manager and PSFN’s Operations Manager to discuss ways PSFN can use its tools and resources to help move the business or organization forward. Yesterday PSFN staff helped members source organic local flour for child care centers, gain sales access to large-scale feeding programs, and source local products for a new local retail outlet, among other things.

PSFN Operations Manager, Ann Leason, with Heidi and Rosy from 21 Acres in Woodinville discuss ways to move forward with their business. F2T Coordinator, Karen Mauden, looks on. 21 Acres is a producer member of PSFN as well as a F2T partner, but will soon be acting as a buyer as well. Their retail and processing facility in Woodinville will be nearing completion in the coming months.

In the next room, the Early Learning and Family Support (ELFS) Farm to Table Kickoff event, welcomed nearly fifteen early learning and school-age child care providers to join the Farm to Table (F2T) Project! So far, PSFN’s F2T Project has been focused on senior meal programs. Another realm of the project, however, is child care centers, and yesterday was the beginning of an eight-month pilot project! The pilot will include eight ELFS-affiliated child care centers. Each center is required to make four local food purchases between now and October 2011. Just as the providers will encourage their tots to give the new local produce a few tries, we’re hoping that by encouraging at least four local purchases, the providers themselves will get used to a new healthy habit of buying locally!

PSFN’s Farm to Community Coordinator, Emma Brewster, gave a presentation on the basics (who, what, where, why, how) of agriculture in the Pacific Northwest and how to source kid-friendly food locally. Karen Mauden, PSFN’s F2T Coordinator, explained the ins and outs of ordering locally through F2T. PSFN also shared fun kids recipes from PSFN Member, Breanna Oberlin, PNA Kids! Food Service Manager (Phinney Neighborhood Association) and a registered dietician. Breanna already works with whole, local foods which she gets from PSFN member, Full Circle. Perfectly, Full Circle is the designated F2T producer for child care for the first two months of the pilot! These recipes, used by an actual care giver, nutritionally analyzed for children, made with local produce in season now from the designated farm, and already “field tested” with kiddos – were a dream come true! Thanks, Breanna, for sharing your great ideas! PSFN and ELFS were fortunate to be joined by Bill Brown and Sabrina Wilz from Full Circle at the kickoff. We’re so happy that the early learning and school age community at the meeting were able to personally meet the farmer they’ll be ordering from! Both Bill and Breanna will be joining PSFN’s F2T Team this weekend at a similar Coalition for Safety and Health in Early Learning (CSHEL) training event this weekend, where we will spread the word about child care’s new and growing role in F2T!

The F2T Child Care Network (Child care sites in purple; Farms in red)

Rochelle Carlson, PSFN Member and F2T Partner from Catholic Community Services also attended the kickoff. She made the trip from Lakewood to Seattle to share with child care providers her experiences buying whole produce through F2T for her senior congregate meal programs in King County. As both a F2T meal-provider partner/buyer, and as a mother of young children in child care, Rochelle offered a unique perspective on the ease and value of F2T for the new child care participants. Thanks so much, Rochelle, for making the trek on our behalf!

Between the member trainings and the kickoff, yesterday was definitely a busy day for PSFN. Though busy, this is just how we want to use our time: working in person with members; making introductions and forming relationships among them; and learning from various perspectives how we can better connect all sorts of players in the local food system. PSFN’s F2T Team is overjoyed to be working with ELFS and with the early learning and school age community as a whole. The enthusiasm and energy among this community is palpable, and we can’t wait to get started! See more pictures from the ELFS Kickoff Below, and even more on our Facebook Page.

Bill Brown and Sabrina Wilz of Full Circle join F2T Partners from PSFN, WSDA, ELFS, and other City agencies with the F2T Child Care Pilot Site Providers!

Jackie’s on board! Sandria Woods-Pollard collects a letter of commitment for Farm to Table from a child care provider!

Carol Cartmell, left, will advise child care meal providers on recipe development and nutrition using local, whole foods. Here, she visits with Full Circle representatives Sabrina Wilz and Bill Brown. Full Circle will be providing all the local foods for the child care sites for the first two months of the pilot.

Natalie and Sandria show off their signed letters of commitment from child care providers!

Posted by Emma Brewster on March 25th, 2011

Muckleshoot Tribal Cooks Retreat

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This past weekend, PSFN’s Farm to Table (F2T) Coordinator, Karen Mauden, was invited to attend the first ever Tribal Cooks Retreat at Bastyr University. Hosted by Muckleshoot Senior Program (a F2T meal-provider partner) and Northwest Indian College, this 2-day retreat helped “sharpen both knives and healthy cooking skills” of selected tribal cooks working at Muckleshoot School, Senior and Daycare feeding sites. This training opportunity is especially exciting for PSFN’s F2T Team, as it addresses skill development for both senior and child care meal providers, the dual foci of the F2T project.

Chef Tom French, Founder/Director of Experience Food Project; Valerie Segrest, Native Foods Nutritionist and Wendy Burdette, Muckleshoot Senior Program Manager created an eventful and meaningful curriculum.

Saturday’s agenda included:

Basic skills: knives, kitchen organization, time management
Foraging Native Foods and Plants
Balancing menus using fresh foods from the Pacific Northwest
Cooking methods with whole grains
Salad Dressing and Sauce Preparation
Integrating Nuts, Herbs and Berries into dishes
Creating shared meals with local foods
Friendly Team competitions

Chef Tom noted that originally tribes foraged, gathered, hunted and fished for their food. This does not typically happen in society in general anymore. Now, food comes to us, which limits our choices. As we return to gardening and foraging we can select our food with purpose and intention. These themes fit well into tribal culture which Valerie and Wendy seek to encourage. At Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Wendy has partnered hunters, gatherers and fishermen with specific tribal elders who are no longer are able to participate in those activities. This has created a greater bond of community, commitment to traditions and hope that future generations will eat and celebrate northwest native foods and traditions, which in turn will lead to better health.

Tribal cooks were thrilled with the retreat. They were challenged to, and succeed in, presenting plates with a rainbow of colors and bursting with flavor. Splitting into teams from School Lunch, Senior Feeding and Daycare cooks were challenged to create and present nutritious, balanced and welcoming meals. The results included beautiful Breakfast Frittatas, Poached eggs on Herbed Potatoes, Bountiful Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos, Hazelnut Encrusted Salmon and much more. It seemed everyone felt empowered to return to the tribal community and create healthier, more colorful and flavorful foods from the bounty of the Pacific Northwest.

What a great event! PSFN is overjoyed to be working with Wendy and with Muckleshoot Indian Tribe on the Farm to Table project. We’re very impressed at the focus given to kitchen skills and training by the tribe. These are necessary skills for working with the fresh, whole foods the F2T project makes available to meal -provider partners, and we’re inspired by their initiative! While popping into the retreat, Karen delivered Muckleshoot’s first F2T delivery: 50 lbs of potatoes from Full Circle. Here’s to the beginning of what we hope will be a very successful partnership!

Posted by Emma Brewster on March 23rd, 2011

F2T Partners visit F2T Producer 21 Acres

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Today Karen and Emma, PSFN’s Farm to Table (F2T) team were joined by other members of the F2T Partnership on a tour of 21 Acres in Woodinville. F2T representatives from WSDA and Aging and Disability Services (ADS), as well as senior meal site partner Catholic Community Services (CCS) were all able to make the trip out today. 21 Acres (a PSFN member since November 2010) was the first farm to make a F2T connection and delivery! In January, Farm Manager Rosy Smit personally delivered 50 lbs of freshly harvested leeks to F2T meal partner, Chicken Soup Brigade. The leeks were quickly made into a yummy Caribbean tilapia dish with lime and leeks and was delivered shortly to Chicken Soup Brigade clients. Rosy and the rest of 21 Acres’ staff continue to be a wonderful partner in F2T and in the local food economy on the whole.

21 Acres is in the process of building an impressive structure. Once complete, this facility will include a retail co-op for the farm’s and others’ products. The building will also have a natural root cellar, cold storage, rent-able commercial kitchens for the development of value-added products, kitchen classrooms, office space, and will serve as a drop point for wholesale transactions. The building itself will be super eco-friendly, complete with a rooftop garden, composting toilets, and even a shower to encourage employees to bike to work (21 Acres is on a couple of bike trails!). This will be such a great, central facility – we can’t wait to see the completed building.

Check out these photos of the F2T Partnership visit to 21 Acres today!

A lovely morning in Woodinville (the weather held just long enough for us to complete our 90-minute tour!)

21 Acres Farm Manager, Rosy Smit, points out the lay of the land to F2T Partners: Rochelle Carlson (CCS), Karen (PSFN), Shoko Kumagai (WSDA), while 21 Acres Facilities Manager, Brooke, looks on

An on-site (in-field!) brick pizza oven makes 21 Acres a great spot for educational tours for all ages. Now THAT'S Farm to Table!

F2T Project Manager Maria Langlais of Aging & Disability Services checks out the farm

Mmmmm... garlic!

Karen (PSFN), Brooke (21 Acres), Rochelle (CCS), Shoko (WSDA), and Heidi (21 Acres) listen to Rosy talk about opportunities for veterans' groups at the farm

Though it looks a little austere now, come summer this will be a beautiful and flourishing comprehensive agricultural center!

Heidi Pomeroy, Retail Manager for 21 Acres, points out to the group how classrooms, kitchens, and retail space will all come together in the new facility

Thanks for a great day, 21 Acres, and thanks to our awesome F2T Partners for braving the weather to come check out the other side of institutional food service and production. What a great group of people to be working with!

Posted by Emma Brewster on March 11th, 2011

Member Training Sessions are off to a Good Start!

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Yesterday, PSFN hosted the first of many PSFN Member Training Sessions. These one-on-one, hour-long meetings are an opportunity for producers, buyers, and service providers alike to meet with your PSFN Account Manager and to ask necessary questions to help move your business forward.

Kai Ottenson of Hedlin Farms meets with his PSFN Account Manager, Ann Leason, and learns how to enhance his PSFN online profile

We’ve developed these trainings because we want to know from YOU, individually, what your business’s specific needs are. How can we work with you to help you reach your goals? Whether it’s one-on-one introductions, mini trade meetings, logistical help, wholesale markets, or brainstorming ideas for where you want to expand customer base, we want to discuss all the ways your PSFN membership can connect you with the local buyers, producers, or infrastructure you need.

Yesterday’s training in Skagit County (held at NABC’s offices in Mount Vernon) was busy – we had a totally booked day! Members came with great questions and open minds. I think, together, we came up with a lot of good ideas and connections. A big thanks to Ann Leason, our Operations Manager, for facilitating every single session!

Kai and Ann brainstorm and discuss alternative strategies for gaining additional CSA members for Hedlin's upcoming season

As a member, you’re incredibly valuable to us as partners in the local food economy and as friends. What can we do for you to make your membership more valuable to you? Book your one-on-one session today and receive individualized assistance on the best ways to utilize your annual membership to build your business:

Upcoming Training Dates Contact Ann Leason to RSVP or for more info: ann@psfn.org / 360-336-3666

March 23rd – King County*
2100 Building: 2100 24th Avenue South, Seattle
1-hour appointments available 8 AM – 5 PM
*A special opportunity for King County training attendees: the training will be taking place simultaneously and in the same building as, a Farm to Table Kick-off event for King County Childcare providers. This is a great opportunity to meet a large group of buyers who will begin placing orders shortly!

April 6th – Snohomish County
Snohomish County Extension Office: 600 128th Street SE, Everett
1-hour appointments available 8 AM – 5 PM

Whatcom County
RESCHEDULED – TBA

May 4th – Island County
Coupeville Public Library: 788 NW Alexander St. Coupeville
1-hour appointments available 8 AM – 5 PM

Contact Ann Leason to RSVP or for more information: ann@psfn.org / 360-336-3666

Posted by Emma Brewster on March 8th, 2011

Seattle Farmer Fisher Chef Connection 2011

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A week ago today, PSFN attended the 2011 Farmer Fisher Chef Connection (F²C²) at Herban Feast Sodo Park, hosted by the Seattle Chef’s Collaborative. As always, the event was beautifully put together: the open layout of the venue encouraged networking and provided a classy yet laid back atmosphere. Before I go any further, I want to thank the event volunteers and planning committee for all of their hard work and persistence – the event was fabulous!

PSFN tabled at the event to attract new members, to spotlight PSFN’s current projects, and to highlight how PSFN has evolved since its launch a year ago. Launched primarily as an online marketing tool, PSFN has really transformed itself into a more robust and holistic non-profit marketing and networking service for participants in the local food economy. In addition to its online marketing tool, PSFN offers direct account management with every member assigned to an individual account manager. This individual assistance is what many producers and buyers are looking for, and is the most useful in establishing long-term, sustainable local relationships. Many interested producers and buyers were drawn to our table at Farmer Fisher Chef Connection for just these reasons. It was so good to meet you all – we look forward to working with you!

The keynote speaker, Laurie Demeritt, president of The Hartman Group, gave an informational presentation on how to “Turn your Story into Market Success”. Basically, if you’re a farmer/business owner, you need to communicate “your story” to your target audience. This is a strong and inexpensive marketing technique that can be accomplished – for example – by adding verbiage to packaging materials, enhancing your presence at farmers’ markets with a personal message on a chalkboard, or adding images and narrative to your website. Dermeritt later moderated a panel of Northwest business owners: Chrystie Kisler of Finnriver Farm, Riley Starks of Lummi Island Wild Co-op, and Ethan Stowell of Ethan Stowell Restaurants. Dermeritt gracefully facilitated the panel and helped them to share their personal business stories with the audience. Very inspirational and heartwarming!

Another panel discussion, “Farms & Fins: The Balance of Farming in Essential Salmon Habitat” gave a well-rounded, dynamic story. We were able to clearly see the efforts that environmental conservationists and farmers, alike, put into maintain quality spawning habitat for salmon. Elizabeth Dubovsky of Why Wild; Dale Reiner of Reiner Farms; Andrew Stout of Full Circle; Deborah Oaks of the Stewardship Partners, Seattle; and Geof Lebon of F/V Halmia gave insight on current conservation efforts and the energy that local farmers put into managing salmon habitat on their land.

Jake Fowler, a Project Manager for NABC, participated in the panel, “The Concept of Retail: An Overview of Adding Value to Your Product.” Skagit Fresh Seasonal Cider, a product developed by PSFN member, Skagit Fresh Beverage Company, with Jake’s guidance was used as an example to discuss the whole process of creating a value added product and bringing it to market: initial feasibility studies, market analysis, determining current food trends, new ways to add value to products, finding places to process and sell your product, and how to identify your target market. Also on the panel was Denise Breyley, Local Food Forager for Whole Foods Markets (NW Region) and Skagit Fresh Beverage Company producer partner, Alan Merritt of Merritt Apples. Perkins Variety Apples and PSFN member, Sakuma Bros. Farms, also produce the apples used to make the delicious seasonal cider.

Last but not least, PSFN Project Manager, Lucy Norris, spoke and facilitated a panel discussion on “The Wholesale Market: An Alternative to Traditional Distribution.” Lucy spoke about the Wholesale Markets that PSFN organizes. This past growing season, PSFN collaborated with local producers and wholesale buyers to launch two grassroots,business-to-business wholesale markets in Mount Vernon and Seattle to help facilitate local wholesale and institutional purchasing. PSFN was recently able to run some numbers and evaluate the impact of the 2010 Wholesale markets – both were successful! Check out this link for more information on the 2010 PSFN Wholesale markets. PSFN Members Sarita Schaffer of Viva Farms, Denise Breyley, and Chris Johnson of United General Hospital, as well as Erin Treat of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op served as a well-rounded group of panelists. Each shared their role in, and thoughts about, the PSFN wholesale markets. Thanks, everyone, for participating and supporting PSFN!

Farmer Fisher Chef Connection concluded with networking opportunities and lots of local food and beverage tastings. Thanks, Seattle Chef’s Collaborative and Herban Feast for hosting, it was such a great day! And let’s hear it for staff members Jake Fowler and Lucy Norris, as well as all our PSFN members who participated in panels for representing PSFN and NABC so heartily at Farmer Fisher Chef Connection 2011!

Posted by Emma Brewster on March 8th, 2011

A Big Day with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Kathleen Merrigan, & Seattle Mayor, Mike McGinn!

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On Wednesday, Kathleen Merrigan, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and manager of the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food effort, paid a special visit to PSFN/NABC projects. Deputy Secretary Merrigan (who made the trip up to Seattle from Portland just for us!) chose to visit Central Area Senior Center (where she was joined by Seattle Mayor, Mike McGinn!) to show her support for PSFN’s Farm to Table involvement. Deputy Secretary Merrigan then met with PSFN/NABC-affiliated local producers at Central Market in Shoreline, where she toured and sampled their high-quality products. See the full photo album on our Facebook page!

The day began with the first F2T delivery to Central Area Senior Center (the first Senior Services site to receive a F2T delivery!). Kia Armstrong, Manager of Nash’s Organic Produce in Sequim, WA, personally delivered cabbage, parsnips, and triticale flour to Senior Services’ Chef and Nutrition Site Coordinator, Anthony Herts.

Seattle Mayor, Mike McGinn, and Deputy Secretary Merrigan both spoke on the importance of local food connections and praised PSFN’s work on our Farm to Table project which connects produce from local farms with senior meal programs.

Deputy Secretary Merrigan with members of the CPPW Farm to Table Partnership. From left: Karen Mauden, PSFN Farm to Table Coordinator; Charlie Thomas (Senior Services); Emma Brewster, PSFN Farm to Community Coordinator; Deputy Secretary Merrigan; Maria Langlais, Farm to Table Project Manager (Aging and Disability Services); Lucy Norris, PSFN Project Manager; Tricia Sexton-Kovacs (WSDA Farm to School Program).

After a delicious lunch, Deputy Secretary Merrigan and her staff joined local producers and NABC staff at Central Market in Shoreline. Producers had an opportunity to introduce Ms. Merrigan to their products featured at Central Market.

Deputy Secretary Merrigan and local producers set up camp in the produce department at Central Market, where Merrigan fielded questions and listened to producers’ concerns.

What a fantastic day! Thank you, Deputy Secretary Merrigan and staff! Special thanks to Central Area Senior Center Chef and Nutrition Site Coordinator, Anthony Herts for hosting us and preparing such a lovely lunchtime meal. Thanks also to Charlie Thomas, Program Manager of Community Dining for Senior Services, and Cynthia Andrews, Director of the Central Area Senior Center and her wonderful staff, volunteers, and meal attendees. A final thanks to Central Market-Shoreline for hosting us and for featuring so many quality local products on your shelves.

Posted by Emma Brewster on March 4th, 2011

Farm to Table Trade Meeting – Bellingham, WA 2/22/11

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This Tuesday, February 22, the Puget Sound Food Network attended the Northwest Washington Farm-to-Table Trade Meeting in Bellingham, WA. Sustainable Connections, Cascade Harvest Coalition and the Northwest Agriculture Business Center hosted the event. The focus of this meeting was to allow for one-on-one networking and to learn what’s working in our local food economy in regards to getting locally produced foods into grocery stores, institutions, schools, and ultimately on the plate in front of you.

Lucy Norris, PSFN Project Manager facilitated a discussion on “What’s working in Farm to School & Farm to Hospital.” PSFN members Chris Johnson, Executive Chef of United General Hospital and Clayton Burrows, Executive Director of Growing Washington, as well as Chris Kenney, WWU Dining Services and Mark Dalton from the Bellingham School Districts shared with the audience the major hurdles and successes that their institutions have faced while putting local food on their menus. Of the panel members that work for institutions, they want to put more locally produced goods into their institutions, but in most cases have limited infrastructure or funding to process or store them.

Two other panel discussions were facilitated and allowed for the audiences to ask questions and start conversations. Facilitator, Sarah Wilcox from the Cascade Harvest Coalition questioned a panel on the “Economic Benefits of Diverse Markets and Operations” and facilitator Mariah Ross from Sustainable Connections questioned a panel on “The Business of Sustainability: how it works for your bottom line”.

The day ended with one -on-one Producer/Buyer sessions. The local producers and buyers were able to obtain expert advice on marketing, zero waste practices, business planning, and food safety techniques. Local vintners, cheese makers, and various other producers offered samples of their amazing products during this time. Yum!

Producers and buyers walked away from the Northwest Washington Farm-to-Table Trade Meeting with priceless knowledge, valuable contact information, and full bellies. What a successful event!

Posted by Emma Brewster on February 25th, 2011

LAST CALL! Final Week of Seattle/Skagit WholeSale Markets

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The Seattle/Skagit WholeSale Markets come to a close this week. NOW is the last opportunity to see WholeSale quantities and pricing in a unique Market setting. Support your local farmers and food producers in your own backyard.

A free and easy way to source local for your food business!

Buyers – don’t forget you may pre-order and pick up directly from vendors at the Seattle/Skagit WholeSale Markets. Refer to the Fresh Sheets (Seattle, Skagit) for a full product listing and contact information.

Find more information on our newsletter.

Posted by Elliot on September 27th, 2010

Seattle WholeSale Market- Only 2 More Weeks!

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Only 2 Weeks Left. See our most current fresh sheet for product details and ordering

Visit PSFN and learn more about the pilot market and watch a short video of the Seattle WholeSale Market launch on Wednesday, September 15! http://www.psfn.org/seattle-market/

Posted by Lucy Norris on September 17th, 2010

Fowl Play in the Corn Field! Who Dunnit?

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Biringer Farm will host Intense Farm Scene Investigations along with the popular Pumpkin Country & Comeback Cornmaze off Hwy 529. Come check out one of three corn mazes and solve the mystery of fowl play. Come by October 2-31st, daily from 10am to 5pm.