America’s Fruit and Vegatable Deficiancy

A recent CDC report highlights the lack of fruits and vegetables in American diets. The report offers brand new data with State by State breakdown of fruit and vegetable consumption. Using a standard of 2+ fruits and 3+ vegetables daily, Washington State’s consumption for adults is at 15.1% meeting that requirement, compared to a national average of 14%. Washington State does not have data on adolescent fruit and vegetable consumption but national trends suggest that it is significantly lower in adolescent populations.

PSFN's First Transaction

With our system on its way to full functionality, the Puget Sound Food Network is already making connections within the Puget Sound region. Our first official transaction took place yesterday when Growing Washington delivered products including cukes and a braising mix to Western Washington University in Bellingham. This well received transaction will be the first…

Washington's Agricultural Statistics/ Top 10 Commodities

Today, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released the 2008 figures for Washington State’s agricultural value and the top forty commodities. What’s changed since 2007? Overall, Washington State’s agricultural production value has decreased from $8.32 billion in 2007 to $7.88 billion in 2008.  While this is a significant drop, compared to other states, Washington has…

Basis: Farm to Chef

PSFN Team Member Lucy Norris just passed on this interesting tidbit about the formation of a new organization in New York called Basis. The brainchild of former management consultant Bion Bartning, Basis is a newly formed company that recently acquired (and greatly expanded) Farm to Chef, a wholesale distributor connecting small local farms to haute…

USDA Rolls Out More Web-Tools

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Wednesday the launching of new online tools to guide consumers through the wide-world of food. These tools evidence a new stance on food education from the USDA and an embrace of technology as communication tools. USDA web-tools: Know Your Farmer promotes food issues, presents dinner options and celebrates food…

Elliot Trotter, Content Manager

The Puget Sound Food Network is pleased to welcome Elliot Trotter to the Content Manager position.  As Content Manager, Elliot will be responsible for developing and managing the PSFN website and blog as well as creating rich media content. Elliot joins PSFN from work promoting, designing and managing content with Terra Organics, a Tacoma-based organic…