RAINIER BEACH FARM STAND

Eating healthy in Rainier Beach

If you have lived in the Rainier Beach neighborhood long enough there is some chance that you have heard of Rainier Beach being called a food desert. While Safeway and small local stores sell produce it’s not reaching enough of our community. Safeway, while great is sometimes too expensive for our low income residents. While healthy food does exist in Rainier Beach, it needs to be more accessible so that everyone in our community can have a chance to start fresh.

What is a farm stand?

A farm stand at its simplest definition is a smaller version of a farmer’s market.

How does it work?

The Rainier Beach Farm Stand will run on Saturdays from June to October 2019. Markets are made possible by partnerships with King county farmers who reflect the diverse culture in Rainier Beach. The small farm stand will operate at the Ethiopian Community in Seattle by one farm manager, five paid fellows, and a group of neighborhood volunteers. This project is funded by King Conservation District, Communities of Opportunity, and the Kresge Foundation. It’s run by Rainier Beach Action Coalition in partnership with Ethiopian Community in Seattle.

Why does it matter?

Local food innovation (growing, production, and distribution) is projected to be a top ten growth industry over the next decade. The demand for locally grown and produced food is growing. Jobs are an anti-displacement strategy.

“To grow a thriving cultural community with equitable access to economic opportunity and affordable healthy food.”