Purpose

A food system includes all of the inputs that impact food, from farm to fork to waste.  Findings from a 2017 county-wide community food assessment illustrate opportunities for making a more sustainable and equitable food system in Whatcom County.  This committee will build on the findings of the community food assessment by engaging areas of the food system, including fishing, farming, labor, food access, environment, and waste. 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.  

Draft 2021 Community Food Assessment now available for review.

Please fill out this form if you have comments. 

Authority

WCC Chapter 2.47

Members

The Food System Committee has 9 members.

Specifications:  
This committee shall include nine members appointed by the County Executive.  There shall be representation for a variety of areas related to food systems.

Current committee members:

• Margaret Gerard - Local Sales Farming
• Riley Sweeney - Food Access
• Amber Noskoff - Nutrition/public health
• Krista Rome - Natural Resources
• Vacant - Whatcom Food Network representative
• Vacant - Export Sales Farming
• Vacant -Labor Issues
• Nikki Oleson- Processing/Distribution
• Vacant - Fishing Industry

Interested applicants can find the application to apply here. 

Term Length/term limit

Term of office for appointed members is four years; limit of two terms served.

Meetings

In accordance with COVID-19 guidance, meetings are held virtually. Find the virtual meeting link in the agenda.