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Winter Newsletter
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Issue: #21
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Greetings!
 Welcome to our Winter 2012 newsletter. We have combined the NABC and PSFN newsletters and will be sending you information about our activities and results once each quarter.
We are enthusiastic about our 2012 programs that we believe will help farmers in our region be successful. This is our second year as a USDA designated Rural Cooperative Development Center and we are providing technical assistance to cooperative producer efforts throughout our region. The Puget Sound Food Network continues to expand and increase the number of market connections for producers in our region. NABC staff will provide client services including business development, product development, assistance with marketing and financing, workshops, and equipment rentals.
Please check our web sites for information about our programs and current events between newsletters. If you have questions or comments about our programs, please let us know.
Thank you for your support- NABC looks forward to working with you in 2012!
David Bauermeister, Executive Director
Northwest Agriculture Business Center
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Happy New Year from Puget Sound Food Network!
Many things have changed since Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC) launched Puget Sound Food Network (PSFN) in the fall of 2009. Originally the project began as an online marketing tool for producers and buyers. Today, our membership is comprised of savvy food entrepreneurs and agricultural producers, fisherfolk, commercial and institutional buyers, logistical providers and professional staff all actively working together --by phone, in person, and online-- to help food and farm businesses market their best products near home in Northwest Washington. As the "marketing arm" of NABC, PSFN has been fortunate to help start and participate in some groundbreaking direct marketing models like the Skagit and Seattle wholesale markets , good food boxes, and summer produce bags. In the coming year, expect to hear more good news from NABC and the PSFN project, as we continue to support the development of community food hubs, and carry on the work of implementing a self-sustaining food system that mobilizes businesses and institutions and increases access to locally produced goods. We aim to continue pushing the boundaries towards a more inclusive, prosperous and sustainable food and agricultural system in Northwest Washington. We may even have a few surprises to announce- stay tuned! PSFN account management staff will be attending multiple regional marketing and educational events this quarter. We look forward to seeing you there. 
Lucy Norris, Director of Marketing
For more information, visit our staff bios
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North Cascade Meats, a Farmers' Cooperative 
With funding support from the USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant program NABC was able to provide technical assistance to the North Cascades Meat Producers Cooperative, which legally formed as a Washington State cooperative corporation in July 2011. This growing group of Whatcom and Skagit meat producers (now with 12 family farm members) has agreed upon common production standards and to market a co-op branded label. The co-op's new brand is North Cascades Meats, A Farmers Cooperative.
This hard working group of farmers is passionate about providing sound and caring animal husbandry and progressive environmental stewardship. This passion and care is well represented in the cooperative's standards. |
PSFN Member Highlight: David Pearlstein of Link Lab Artisan Meats
 PSFN member David Pearlstein has followed a nontraditional path to enter Seattle's food world. As the owner of Link Lab Artisan Meat, a one year old USDA-inspected boutique sausage operation, David is on a mission to help responsible carnivores support Northwest local farmers through great handmade sausage. Here is a conversation we had with the guy who successfully navigated the jungle of USDA regulations and then turned his longtime-hobby into a healthy business...in his garage.
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Demand Grows for NABC's Poultry Processing Rentals
NABC's poultry processing equipment rental program provides access to quality labor-saving machinery to local poultry producers. With equipment prices at over $3,700 for a basic set up with shipping, and upwards of $3,000 for a commercial vacuum packer, the cost of start up or improving efficiency to expand production can be prohibitive for smaller-scale producers. NABC rents the scalding tank, kill cones, chill tank and rotary plucker for only $25 per day, and the MS-45 Mini-Pak vacuum packer for $25 per day with freezer-weight sealable plastic bags available for purchase through our office.
Demand for the equipment continues to increase. The program draws first-time renters in increasing numbers - 18 first-timers in just the last quarter of 2011. Overall, the program rented the equipment 124 times to 63 total poultry producers last year - an increase over 2010 of 30%!
To meet the needs of the poultry community, NABC added a second set of equipment in 2010. One set is stored and available for rent at the
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PSFN's Live Market Fresh Sheet Has a New Look!
In came the new year, and out went the old Live Market Fresh Sheet! Now Live Market itself is lookin' fresh!
Along with looking just plain snazzier, products are now listed according to category. So, if you're looking for meat and meat alone, you can sift through your options more easily. New categories include CSA options for businesses; Seasonal Produce; Meat, Poultry, and Eggs; Beverages; Oils; Alcohol and Spirits; and Grains, Seeds, and Feeds. Live Market is sent every Monday to current PSFN business members such as buyers, sellers and some service providers. If you are a business member and do not receive Live Market, please contact PSFN to renew your annual membership We hope you find the new format bolder and easier to navigate!
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New 'Good Food Bags' Program is Off to a Good Start!
 We've done a lot through our Farm to Table Project, a public health project in partnership with with Seattle' Human Services Division. Over the past year and a half, we've put together a wholesale institutional model where child care centers can purchase large quantities of fresh, organic produce from area farms, and a CSA model where smaller, home-based child care operations can have a reasonably sized CSA box delivered right to their door.
Recently we added yet another spin off to this successful project: an aggregated buying model serving the families of our Farm to Table child care centers! The Refugee and Immigrant Family Center, an Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) preschool under the City of Seattle's Youth and Family Empowerment Program has been a participating site in our Farm to Table project since Spring 2011, and a few weeks ago the center became an integral part of our latest Farm to Table model, customized to fit the needs of the community.
Read more...
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PSFN Member Market Consultations - Stay Tuned!
Throughout March, April, and May, PSFN Account Managers will be hosting Marketing Consultations for our members.
These one-on-one marketing consulations are a perfect time to meet in person with your PSFN account manager to communicate your sales and marketing goals, learn about potential marketing opportunities, and discuss how best to cultivate the right relationships resulting in more profitable and sustainable businesses. We will hold at least 6 days of personalized marketing sessions with our members from Skagit, Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Whatcom and King counties. Are you a South Sound member interested in a consultation? Let us know! We'll announce the dates soon, so stay tuned to our events and Facebook pages!
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FEB 1
Value-added Floral and Nursery WorkshopMount Vernon
FEB 3 - 5
WA State Farmers Market Association Annual Meeting
FEB 11
PCC Natural Markets Annual Board Retreat Community Food Hubs Panel Discussion
SeaTac
WSU Women, Farms, and Food: Women in Agriculture
Mt Vernon, WA
FEB 16
Value-added Prepared Foods Workshop Mount Vernon FEB 23 Basic-Plus Cheese Making Short Course: Marketing Specialty Foods to Today's Consumers
Mount VernonFEB 27 Seventh Annual Farmer Fisher Chef Connection Seattle MAR 15 Farm to Table Trade Meeting
Bellingham
JUNE 25-29
Hard Cider Workshops
Mount Vernon
For more information, visit our events page
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Thanks to our New and Renewing PSFN Members!
University of Washington Housing and Food ServicesSeattle Wholesale Growers Cooperative
Nooksack Valley Farmers Cooperative
Perkins Variety Apples
And Many Whidbey Island Grown members:
Bethany Ridge Farm, Ciao, Comfort Farm and Vinyard, Ebey Road Farm, Fraser's, Greenbank CSA, Inn at Langley, Lavender Wind Farm, Little Brown Farm, Long Family Farm, Paradise Found Fiber Farm, Spoiled Dog Winery, Star Store, Tesch Road Ranch, and Willowood Farm of Ebey's Prairie
We look forward to working with you in 2012! |
Have You Stopped Receiving our Weekly Live Market Fresh Sheet?
Chances are, your PSFN membership has expired. Contact your account manager or email info@psfn.org to renew today!
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Thanks to PSFN's Sponsor!
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Resources
Interested in Planting Makah Ozette Potatoes in 2013?
Start planning now...
Pure Potato will be planting pre nuclear mini tubers this spring. No 2012 seed available, but they expect to have Generation seed available in the spring of 2013 at $2.00 per pound. Contact Marlys Bedlingham now to let her know what amount of seed you're interested in so she can anticipate how much to try and grow out.
Warehouse and Cold Storage Space for Rent (Bow)
Bow Hill Blueberries (formerly Anderson Blueberries) in Skagit County has an 84x42 warehouse with a 24x24 cold storage space,
semi truck access, and storefront for rent. Facility ready for food processors license. Contact Susan Soltes: susan@bowhillblueberries.com for more info.
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The Northwest Agriculture Business Center provides Northwest Washington farmers with the skills and the resources required to profitably and efficiently supply their products to consumers, retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators and food manufacturers.
Through these efforts we contribute to a sustainable, environmentally and economically sound agricultural industry thereby preserving our region's farming heritage for future generations.
P.O. Box 2924 | 419 South 1st Street, Suite 200 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 | (360) 336-3727 | info@AgBizCenter.org
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