Issue No. 3
July.2010
PSFN Newsletter
Summer Updates from PSFN

Dear PSFN Members & Friends,

PSFN has grown to 121 members in the past eight months since launch.  Producers make up over half of total membership, followed one-third buyers and infrastructure services. The rest are community partners and public supporters whose membership provides access to maps to locate where local food is sold. Many consumers and community partners have demonstrated support for our work here in Puget Sound and we are grateful. Current talks could lead to more coordinated efforts and understanding of the next stage opportunities for PSFN. Together we can move even more local food into even more restaurants, store shelves, senior meal services, hospitals and schools. We'll be sure to keep you informed.
 
We are really excited about joining forces with Sustainable Connections' Food & Farming program this year. PSFN is co-sponsoring all three 2010 Chef Farm Tours and the first is set for August 23. The producers featured at each stop of the tour was hand-selected by Sustainable Connections to be the most relevant to the specific needs of local chefs, restaurateurs and retailers.  It's a great opportunity to see Whatcom County farms and fields first-hand, meet with the producers on their own ground, and to taste their wares!  PSFN will host a short presentation at one of the farm stops.  See Events to learn how to purchase tickets.
 
The Skagit WholeSale Market is moving full steam ahead thanks to our friends at Skagit Valley Food Coop, and other key community partners, local producers and committed buyers. Every week the market attracts new and repeat customers and we're hearing about the positive effects the market is having throughout the region. We're especially proud of our healthcare food service providers, and a core group of local restaurant chefs committed to buying farm-direct. Almost thirty unique buyers have visited the market since we launched four weeks ago, including some repeat customers who have increased orders with each visit because local food on menus and on shelves results in a buzz of increased sales. We will continue to track and report progress as the market develops.  So far, we've been pleased with the attention of our local press including, Skagit Valley Herald, La Connor Weekly News, KSVR Radio, and Grow Northwest Magazine. We're also creating our own press buzz with daily Facebook and Twitter posts, weekly blog posts, our newsletter and we're working on a documentary film that tells the story of the market's first year.  As Clayton Burrows said at the Cascade Harvest Coalition Farm-to-Table event on February 22, "Start small but start something." Here at PSFN, we can't agree more!  The Skagit WholeSale Market is just one month old.  We're excited to see it grow and continue to inspire the community one market day at a time.  Thanks for your support.

2010 Member LogoLucy Norris
PSFN Project Manager

 

Updates on the Technology Front

PSFN has continued to improve the engine behind and information surrounding our service since our last newsletter. For members, we've simplified our Marketplace space by condensing it into two areas: Buy Items and Requested Items. This makes the task of buying products for even easier. In the coming months, we hope to make further improvements to the way members interact and list products.

PSFN has also developed three video tutorials on using the site. Be sure to take a look at our Youtube page to learn all about creating the perfect profile and listing your products on the site.

2010 Member LogoElliot Trotter
PSFN Content & Technology Manager

Puget Sound Food Network Staff News
 
Former AmeriCorps State Member Ann Leason is new PSFN Operations Manager

ann
PSFN is pleased to welcome Ann Leason to the Northwest Agriculture Business Center in Mt Vernon.  Former AmeriCorps State Member assigned to NABC, Ms. Leason exceeded expectations as PSFN's Data Manager and quickly became an important team member we could not afford to lose.

READ MORE ON OUR BLOG
Member Highlight: Chef Chris Johnson (United General Hospital)

2010 Member Logo
Across the country, there are a growing number of hospitals getting involved with the local food movement.  Right here in Northwest Washington, we have plenty of great examples to boast about.  Last week PSFN's Lucy Norris caught up with one such leader: Chef Chris Johnson, Food Services Director at United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, WA.  United General is a great example of a community hospital in a rural area who has shown they can do better, to make better choices for the community they serve.  We applaud the efforts of Chef Johnson, his amazing staff, and the hospital administration for their efforts.

READ FULL INTERVIEW ON OUR BLOG
Make Connections @ Skagit WholeSale Market

2010 Member Logo

Celeste Frisbee from Sakuma BrosIt's time to be a part of the highly successful Skagit WholeSale Market. Join a plethora of buyers who have met and sampled great products from innovative local producers.

The Market takes place every Thursday from 8am to 10am @ the covered parking lot of Skagit Valley Co-op.

Take a look at last week's Fresh Sheet for a taste of what to expect.
Show Your PSFN Membership with a Member Badge

2010 Member Logo

Show your customers that you participate in the local food economy through the Puget Sound Food Network. We are local™. 

The Puget Sound Food Network is proud to honor our members who truly exemplify the mission of PSFN and contribute to the quality and sustainability of the food we eat in Western Washington.   

To contact us with questions or to request a PDF copy of the 2010 PSFN Member Logo email us at [email protected] or copy and paste the following html code to use on your website.

<a href="http://www.psfn.org" same window><img src="http://psfn.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/adbannerPSFNFINAL.jpg"></a>
In This Issue
Summer Updates from PSFN
Tech Updates
PSFN Staff News
Member Highlight
Skagit WholeSale Market Update
Upcoming Events
PSFN on Facebook
PSFN Tweets

 
Upcoming Events

Meet PSFN staff at the following events in 2010, including:

PSFN Wants Your Events & Feedback:

Send us your news and events (farm days, special dinners, press releases) to [email protected] and we'll share it with our membership via our calendar.

How can we help you use PSFN? How are you using it now? Send your feedback to [email protected].

 
We're on Facebook




PSFN Tweets:


PSFN Partners with Skagit Food Coop and a Successful Launch of the Skagit WholeSale Market Results. Read about it at http://wp.me/pGHMz-ct

PSFN's own Lucy Norris will be part of panel discussion about Food & Culture on Voices of Diversity on KBCS 91.3 FM from 5-6 pm PST.

Welcome new member United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley! We love their Coho Cafe's Farm Fresh Fridays. Not your father's hospital food.


Advertise/Sponsor PSFN



Notice the ad above? PSFN offers the unique opportunity to advertise your business or products directly to a growing network of producers, buyers and distributors.

Check out our Advertising Program and/or Sponsorship Program to learn how you can reach the right audience and support your network.

PSFN Web-Tip #3:

Did you know that PSFN bookmarks daily news items for members to check out?

Take a look at http://www.psfn.org/news/ for the latest industry headlines.