Public Invited to Comment on Draft Whatcom County Food System Plan

Community members are invited to review the Whatcom County Food System Plan. The Food System Plan outlines goals, objectives, and actions that strengthen our local food system.

This 10-year food system plan draft was developed by the Whatcom County Food System Committee using the findings in the 2021 Community Food Assessment, and engaging with stakeholders, workers, and subject matter experts throughout Whatcom County. A story map of the development can be found here.

“We believe this is a roadmap to a stronger, more sustainable local food economy,” said Food System Committee Chair Riley Sweeney. “It is built on the real world experience of those doing the work to grow, produce and provide food to our community.”

A draft of the Food System Plan is available for public review. Comments may be submitted via this Google Form through January 28. After incorporating those comments, the plan will be brought forward to the Whatcom County Council for final approval and implementation.

The Whatcom County Food System Committee advises the Whatcom County Council and County Executive. The purpose of this committee is to draft, implement, provide oversight for, and regularly update a county-wide food system plan to strengthen our local and regional food system.

For inquiries, call Ali Jensen at 360-303-7840.

We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.