Sustainable Connections is a nationally-lauded local organization with a dedicated Food and Farming Program. A key part of the Program is an annual publication called the Whatcom Food & Farm Finder, and it’s one of the single most useful tools available for anyone interesting in eating local food. The booklet includes a comprehensive directory of farms, farm stands, u-picks, ranchers and fishers who produce food in Whatcom County. It also lists farm events, some basic guidelines about farming practices each farm uses (such as organic, salmon safe, etc.), and primary products grown, all keyed to a County map for easy locating. The Finder also lists restaurants, cafes, caterers, and grocers who support local agriculture.
On April 7 at the Bellingham Farmers Market opening, the brand new 2012 Whatcom Food & Farm Finder will be unveiled. You can pick up your free copy at the Sustainable Connections booth.
After that, find copies at the Community Food Co-op stores, libraries, and other retail locations.
(Photo by Laura Steiger)–Four local food writers were featured at a community barbecue sponsored by the Community Food Co-op (Cordata and Westerly, Bellingham) last Saturday to talk about their cookbooks, blogs–and newspaper columns! Samples of their recipes were available for tasting, too. 
Join me at the Community Food Co-op’s Cordata store (Cordata and Westerly in Bellingham) for a community barbecue next Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011. Whatcom Locavore (that’s me!) and several other local food writers will be on hand to share samples of our recipes and answer questions about what we do. 
Cool shade and a nice breeze were a welcome relief when we arrived at Field of Greens, a cooperative farm stand in Everson. Owner Joy Monjure was also welcoming, and invited us to look around.
Finding locally grown organic food can be a fascinating treasure hunt, but it also can be time consuming, especially at first. Here are some food finding tips to help jumpstart your locavore lifestyle: