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.  

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
• Kendall Whitney - Fishing industry
• Adrienne Renz - Food Processing/distribution
• Riley Sweeney - Food Access
• Amber Noskoff - Nutrition/public health
• Maureen Darras - Labor Issues
• Krista Rome - Natural Resources
• Mardi Solomon - Whatcom Food Network representative
• Jon Maberry - Export Sales Farming

Term Length/term limit

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

Meetings

Meetings are held at the Whatcom County Health Department from 3:30-5:00pm at 1500 State Street Suite 201, in Bellingham, on the last Wednesday of each month. Please contact assigned staff for more questions.