Wednesday, November 15, 2017
(Note: meeting scheduled one week early due to Thanksgiving)
With over 100,000 acres of productive farmland, the state’s highest dairy production, and abundant fisheries, how is it possible that there are places in Whatcom County without easy access to fresh, healthy, affordable food? Learn what it takes to get local food from farms to tables, the economic and political factors at play driving the grocery industry, and the impacts that food deserts have on vulnerable populations.
Mike Cohen, Executive Director of Bellingham’s Food Bank. Mike has been executive director of Bellingham Food Bank 13 years. He is thankful for the support our community gives the food bank and the thousands of families it helps each year. When not at work, Mike is either chasing or being chased by his 9 year old daughter, wife, and/or two dogs. He can also be found backcountry skiing in the nearby mountains of Cascadia.
Holly O’Neil has been providing facilitation, research, and strategic planning support for over twenty years to non-profit organizations and coalitions working to improve healthy food access. She currently serves on the Steering Committees of the Whatcom Food Network and the Foothills Community Food Partnership. She serves as the facilitator for the Whatcom Anti-Hunger Coalition, and is a Coordinator of the Whatcom Farm to School Support Team. Holly lives on a farm in the South Fork Nooksack Valley, near Acme, WA.
Kevin Weatherill, President/CEO of The Markets LLC. Kevin has an extensive background in the food industry. As past president of the Washington Food Industry Association, former CEO of Bernstein Seafoods and former Vice President of Operations at Brown and Cole, he is extraordinarily knowledgeable about all aspects of the industry, including not only the current consolidations but also what the lies ahead in the future.
Doors open 11:30 – Lunch served 11:50 – Program ends 1:30 – Northwood Hall – 3240 Northwest Ave.
NO MEETING IN DECEMBER