Good Food Digest

The Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment partnered with Good Business Network to co-organize this year’s Good Food Connections x Food Action Plan Summit. The event featured some of the City of Seattle’s work through multiple departments to support farmers, fishers, small businesses, distributors, community organizations building a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient local food system.

The City of Seattle recently released Seattle’s first Food Action Plan Progress Report since updating the Plan with community partners in 2024. The report is also paired with a new interactive map to help people explore a wide range of City-supported food programs and services across Seattle.

Read more at: greenspace.seattle.gov/2026/03/seattle-releases-first-food-action-plan-progress-report-and-new-interactive-map/

Community partners are central in shaping, carrying out, and reporting on the Food Action Plan. City of Seattle is grateful to the partners and community members whose leadership is helping build a more sustainable, fair, and strong local food system.

Learn more about these aspects of City of Seattle's support for our local food system via the link above:

🔸Buying with Purpose initiative helps food programs and local institutions purchase food in ways that support a more healthy, sustainable, equitable local food system.

🔸The Accounting and Business Consulting Program through helps Seattle-based businesses and nonprofits by offering up to 10 hours of personalized, one-on-one counseling at no cost on a variety of finance, operations, and long-term planning topics.

🔸The 2026 Tenant Improvement Program supports small businesses in Seattle by providing funding for signage and equipment.

At tomorrow's Good Food Connections + Food Action Summit we’re bringing together food producers, chefs, and industry leaders around a common table to dive into topics that affect us all, like strengthening food security, business sustainability, and supporting farmland access.

Some of our sessions and speakers include ⤵️

🔸Strengthening Food Security at the Intersection of Community and Commerce: learn about the current food access landscape from a food assistance and market analysis perspective and explore opportunities to strengthen local supply chains and markets.

With speakers: Andrew Yokom, Executive Director at Puget Sound Food Hub; Chris Teeny, General Manager & Co-owner at Farmstand Local Foods; Jeremy Vrablik, Founder of Cascadia Produce; Blair Troutman, Co-Founder and Director at Mojito Community Foundation; Stacey Crnich, CEO of GoodRoots Northwest; Amber Whittenberg, Co-Owner/President at Local Yokels/Rootstock Northwest; Cat Sieh, Director of Special Projects at Twin Sisters Mobile Market, Aakanksha Sinha, MSW, Ph,D., Co-Founder & Chief Impact Officer at Spice Waala; and Sirak Weldemichael, New Roots Program Manager at International Rescue Committee.

🔸Business Sustainability: Budgeting for Benefits & The Bottom Line: a practical
training with tools and skills for food business budgeting and taking care of workers while taking care of business. Shannon Keith, Associate Director of Consulting at FareStart, will be speaking.

🔸Supporting Farmland Access through Alternative Market Models and Collectives: a panel discussion that delves into how public agencies and farmland trusts are making farmland accessible to new and younger farmers.

With speakers: Addie Candib, Pacific Northwest Regional Director and Western Managing Director at American Farmland Trust; Melissa Borsting, Farmland Access and Conservation Program Manager at King County Department of Natural Resources; David Bulindah (not pictured), President and CEO at Wakulima USA; Ellen Scheffer, Co-Owner, Frisky Girl Farm.

Good Food Connections + Food Action Summit is a local food trade conference happening March 9, presented by the Good Business Network of Washington and the City of Seattle. We hope to see you there!

At the fourth annual Good Food Connections + Food Action Summit, we’re bringing together farmers, fishers, artisans, chefs, buyers, and community food stakeholders for a day of networking, education, and good food!

Part of the day includes a Tasting Expo & Resource Trade Show featuring 50 local food and beverage companies! Here’s your chance to sample bites and sips from local cideries, jam makers, creameries, wine makers, caterers and celebrated chefs, and much more.

It’s a rare opportunity to connect with and celebrate so many incredible local food producers and creatives at once! 🥂

Good Food Connections + Food Action Summit is a local food trade conference happening March 9, presented by the Good Business Network of Washington and City of Seattle. Enjoy a day of conversation, education, networking, and good food. We hope to see you there!

📸: Participating vendors, including 1.) Little Miss Sweets 2.) Jammin on the One 3.) Footprint Wine Tap 4.) Finnriver Farm & Cidery 5.) Cascadia Creamery.

Are you ready to take your farm or food business to the next level? The WSDA Regional Markets Program is here to help!

Whether you’re navigating regulations, looking for grant opportunities, or looking for new ways to get your products in the marketplace, their team provides one-on-one support to help with:

• Market Access: Connecting you to direct-marketing channels and local buyers.
• Technical Guidance: Assistance with regulatory hurdles and infrastructure gaps.
• Education: Workshops and peer-led training designed for your business’ scale.

WSDA Regional Markets is committed to closing the gaps in our local food system so your business can succeed.

Visit their website to learn more: agr.wa.gov/farmfoodbiz

A big thank you to WSDA Regional Markets for being a sponsor of this year's Good Food Connections + Food Action Summit! Come visit their table to learn how they can support your farm or food business.

This day-long food trade conference brings together farmers, fishers, chefs, food creatives, and community food stakeholders for lively discussions, workshops, and networking. Head to our official website for more info and to register: https://goodbusinessnetwork.org/good-food-economy/good-food-connections/

Good Food Connections + Food Action Summit happens March 9, presented by the Good Business Network of Washington and the City of Seattle.

We are pleased to announce the fourth annual Good Food Connections + Food Action Summit happening this March 9!

This day-long food trade conference brings together farmers, fishers, chefs, food creatives, and community food stakeholders for lively discussions, workshops, and networking.

This year we’re diving into Seattle’s Food Action Plan — the city’s roadmap for an equitable, sustainable, and resilient local food system — including the Buying With Purpose initiative, which guides food purchasing decisions at local food programs and institutions. Explore workshops and panels on business sustainability, strengthening food security, supporting farmland access, and a town hall where attendees will have the chance to connect with City and state leaders about what they need to support their businesses.

There will also be a trade show and tasting expo featuring over 50+ local food & beverage producers, facilitated matchmaking between buyers and producers, and a catered lunch featuring local ingredients. 🌱

Head to the official website for more info and to register ⤵️
https://goodbusinessnetwork.org/good-food-economy/good-food-connections/

Good Food Connections + Food Action Summit is presented by the Good Business Network of Washington and the City of Seattle.