Get your food from the source! The South Sound Community is invited to connect directly with our innovative and dedicated local farmers through this virtual farmers market.

This project was first created in response to the changing market conditions during the COVID-19 crisis. Updated for 2021, this buyer’s guide is to help farmers and buyers find each other and to continue supporting a viable and thriving local agricultural economy.

If you are a local farm who would like to be added, please contact Nora Carman-White at nwhite@thurstoncd.com

Additional Resources for Farmers & Consumers

Community Farm Land Trust

The Community Farm Land Trust has put out their 2020 Farm Map! This is an invaluable resource to our region to connect with farmers and growers of all kinds of products! Check out the new map and discover regional farms here.

WSU Extension Thurston County

WSU Extension has been compiling and updating farm and farmer specific information with relation to the on-going and evolving COVD-19 crisis. Check out this page for that information.

WSDA Resources for Small & Direct Market Farms

A compilation of resources which include direct responses to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, and ongoing programs that may be especially helpful now for small and direct marketing farms and food businesses.

WA Young Farmer’s Coalition COVID-19 Resources

A variety of resources for farmers and consumers. Check out their website.

FarmAid.Org Resources for Farmers Affected by COVID-19

Regularly updated list of resources and tools for farmers. Found here.

Farmer’s Legal Action Group Guide to COVID-19 Relief

Farmer specific details about the CARES Act. Updated as of April 13, 2020. Find information here.

Farm and Food Financial Resources List

County specific, Washington State, National, and Federal resources for farmers. This is a google doc that is being kept up to date. Find that document here.

The SBA has opened EIDL applications for agricultural businesses.

SBA is now accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only, in order to provide unprecedented relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. The application is available at: www.SBA.gov/Disaster.

  • Agricultural businesses includes those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)).
  • SBA is encouraging all eligible agricultural businesses with 500 or fewer employees wishing to apply to begin preparing their business financial information needed for their application.

At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented submission of applications already received.

  • In addition, SBA has resumed processing EIDL applications that were submitted before the portal stopped accepting new applications on April 15 and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • For agricultural businesses that submitted an EIDL application through the streamlined application portal prior to the legislative change, SBA will process these applications without the need for re-applying.

SBA made this programing decision in order to provide the greatest emergency funding relief to as many small businesses, private non-profits, and agricultural businesses as possible. For more information or to apply, please visit: www.sba.gov/Disaster.

Olympia Farmers Market

The Olympia Farmers Market is open. Check out their website here.

Tacoma Farmers Markets

Tacoma Farmers Market creates vibrant marketplaces where local farms, small businesses, and organizations connect directly with the community. We accept cash, credit, debit and EBT/SNAP and WIC. Learn more here.

  • Broadway Market
    950 Broadway (Between 9th and 11th) Tacoma, WA
    Every Thursday May 7 through August 27 10:00 am -3:00 pm; Sept  3- Oct. 29 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Eastside Market
    3500 McKinley  Ave E Tacoma, WA
    Every Tuesday June 2-August 25 3:00 pm- 7:00 pm
  • Point Ruston
    5005 Ruston Way, Grand Plaza Tacoma, WA
    Every Sunday June 7- Sept 27 10:00-3:00

South Sound Food Buyer’s Club

The South Sound Food Buyer’s Club exists to enable members to connect directly with high quality farms and food producers across the Cascadia region and beyond.  As food buying club members, we seek to create economically sustainable partnerships with practitioners who are utilizing sustainable and regenerative farming techniques and who engage in socially responsible business practices. The club is currently taking members and seeking local producers who would like to sell to members. Join or learn more here or check out their Facebook group.
If you’re a producer interested in selling to the club, contact Joel Hansen at foodshedservices@gmail.com

Interested in learning more about the Farmer’s Basket?

 

Nora Carman-White
Communications & Education Manager
nwhite@thurstoncd.com
360-999-3727

You can also use our contact form.