Dear friends,
Our collaboration with with city, county, and state officials are starting to gain traction in supporting goal 4.3.1 of the Whatcom County Food Systems Plan: “Adequately fund the Whatcom County Food Bank Network to meet the dramatic increase in food insecure individuals in the county; ensure that a portion of the increased funding to food banks is directed to purchase food directly from Whatcom County producers.” . .
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This is a fertile, abundant agricultural basin, and yet, over 24,000 Whatcom County residents are living in food deserts. Federal programs like WIC and SNAP are not adequately addressing the struggles of rural people who may not have access to a grocery store, transportation, or the internet required to register. The isolation of rural life is intensified with language barriers and segregation. People are often shocked to learn that over 28 languages are spoken on our shopping floor, and at least a third of our shoppers do not speak or read English. But, Whatcom County is and has historically been a culturally diverse region despite this apparent invisibility. .
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Food Bank visits across the county have increased 127% in the past year, which is more than twice the state average, making Whatcom County a food insecure hotspot. As we attempt to address this across the rural urban divide, across racial discrimination, and across physical isolation we look to support local agricultural workers and producers that put so much of their own lives on the line to feed the rest of us. One of the unique advantages of serving 5,000 household visits a week is the purchasing power to invest in our local agricultural economy, creating a cycle of nourishment and sustainability. Our shoppers are strong, resilient, and affect positive change through their lives. Together, we can harness the transformative power of our collective efforts to make a real difference.
Thank you!
The BFB Team
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