FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lucy Norris; Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC), 360-336-3666, info@psfn.org, or Brenda Vanderloop, 206-498-9731, brenda@21acres.org

July 16, 2012 [Seattle, WA] – Local agricultural producers are ready to increase their commercial sales and connect with buyers at 21 Acres Center for Local Food and Sustainable Living in Woodinville on Thursday, July 26 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC), through the Puget Sound Food Network (PSFN), has joined forces with 21 Acres to contribute to a sustainable, environmentally and economically sound agricultural industry by fostering relationships and providing mechanisms to facilitate “business to business” (B2B) sales transactions.

The B2B Local Food Showcase will feature farms and food entrepreneurs from the immediate area that produce a diverse selection of fresh, seasonal and value-added foods—from berries to greens; from beef to zucchini—all produced in Western Washington and available for commercial sale. Approximately twenty vendors will showcase their products at the event with products available for sale or sample. According to Lucy Norris, NABC Director of Marketing, “The event is designed to provide an opportunity, in season, for farm businesses to make new direct market connections with a variety of reseller businesses, from restaurants to grocery retailers; manufacturers to hospitals.”

The logistics of selling and buying local farm product in large volumes, conducting direct and efficient purchase and sale transactions, and aggregating and delivering multi-farm orders remain obstacles to achieving a sustainable regional food system.  Through PSFN, NABC and 21 Acres are addressing these challenges and removing barriers on both the supply and demand side. These cooperative efforts will help to ultimately increase the sustainability of local farms.
This event will also mark the launch of 21 Acres regional food hub pilot supported by NABC’s technical and marketing assistance. “We’re excited about the opportunities that are being created by this partnership,” says Robin Crowder, 21 Acres Marketing and Development Director. This new venture at 21 Acres will be an expanded format and use an innovative online sales platform, Local Orbit.  Participants in the pilot food hub will find it easy to preorder local products and pay through the website and then collect their orders at the event, or request larger orders for delivery or pick up at 21 Acres food hub. The facility will continue operating the food hub as an aggregation and distribution hub for farmers and buyers.
The B2B Local Food Showcase event is scheduled to coincide with 21 Acres retail Market hours.  The store will be open providing visitors the opportunity to purchase fresh and value added products for personal consumption.  The Market is always open Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays from noon until 7 pm.  21 Acres is located in the lush Sammamish Valley of East King County, near Woodinville. Address: 13701 NE 171st Ave., Woodinville, WA 98072.  This is a Zero Waste event. 21 Acres will provide light snacks and beverages and offer tours of the facility and farm. 

Buyers interested in attending the B2B Local Food Showcase are strongly encouraged to RSVP. All businesses are welcome. There is no fee to participate. PSFN is a project of the NABC, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. NABC provides Northwest Washington farmers with the skills and the resources required to profitably and efficiently supply their products to consumers, retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators and food manufacturers. These efforts contribute to a sustainable, environmentally and economically sound agricultural industry to preserve our region’s farming heritage for future generations.