New marketing resources to help San Juan County farmers, marketplaces

The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, Lopez Community Land Trust and Orcasong Institute have received funding through a 2018 San Juan County LTAC grant to create two marketing resources to benefit San Juan County farmers, producers, restauranteurs, hosts and marketplaces. The Food and Farms Product Guide and the “Savor the Flavors” map, will provide information about the many island farms, markets, restaurants. farm stays and island-grown products. Limited additional advertising opportunities are possible.

A total of 3,000 printed versions will be distributed at over 100 sites in San Juan County, Anacortes and Seattle annually. Online versions will be available on the websites of the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, Washington State University-San Juan County Extension and San Juan Islands Visitor’s Bureau and local Chambers of Commerce.

The San Juan County Food and Farm Product Guide

Based on the Whatcom Food and Farm Finder, this comprehensive and educational guide will provide listings of all the places to find the best and freshest foods and agricultural products that San Juan County has to offer, including brief descriptions of educational experiences, farm tours, farm-to-table dinners, farm stays, wine tours as well as direct sales of shellfish, u-pick fields and island farm stands. Local farmers markets, restaurants that offer locally-sourced products, and value-added producers are featured, as well.

Savor the Flavors Visitors Map

This map celebrates the high-quality food products and rich farming heritage of San Juan County and establishes the islands as a culinary destination. The map helps users easily locate the farms, markets, inns and farm stays, restaurants and producers offering locally-sourced fresh foods, products and libations.

The 2018 Ag Guild Island Grown members, as well as participants in LCLT 2018 Farm Products Guide receive deep discounts when they participate in the Food and Farm Products Guide and “Savor the Flavors” Map. And becoming a new Island Grown member is a cost-effective way to market your farm products and be included in the Guide and Map. Non-Island Grown members are able to sign up, too.

Information and the application are at sjiagguild.com, or contact Steph Coffey at 360-378-0095. Don’t delay, the deadline for submissions is April 20.

Contributed image/sjiagguild.com                                The map will help users easily locate the farms, markets, restaurants and more that offer locally-sourced products.

Contributed image/sjiagguild.com The map will help users easily locate the farms, markets, restaurants and more that offer locally-sourced products.