Market Promotion and
Trade Barrier Grants Awarded

Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance -$11,435 to do market promotion using a direct mail newsletter for exposure to approximately 64,000 people.   Contact: Cassie O'Neill (206) 632-5234

Washington State Fruit Commission - $16,400 to promote fresh cherries in Mexico. The promotions will focus on in-store demonstrations and consumer educational leaflets.  Contact: B.J. Thurlby (509) 453-4837

Washington State Apple Commission - $16,000 to help create awareness for Washington apples in China and increase sales through a China Retail Display Contest. Contact:  Rebecca Baerveldt (509) 663-9600

Vashon Island Growers Association - $7,455 to expand the existing market by promoting a new Wednesday market on Vashon Island and expand education, promotion and sales at the existing Saturday market. Contact:  Joanne Jewell (206) 267-8146

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Assoc.$20,000 to assist in expanding and adding a specific market segment to the Nursery Passport Program. This will include twice the number of offerings and again be integral to the Locator Guide publication in which all WSNLA members serving the consumers are promoted. Contact:  Jeanne McNeil (253) 661-6055

Washington State Farmers Market Assoc. - $20,000 will help fund the annual 2009 WA State Farmers Market Association Conference where market managers, farmers and farmers market board members will receive training that will strengthen their farmers markets.  The printing of the 2009 WA State Farmers Market Guides will also be funded. Contact:  Jackie Aitchison (360) 649-0274

Cascade Harvest Coalition - $15,000 to help fund a series of five Farm-to-Table workshops located in 5 different counties.  The goal of the workshops is to increase farm income and increase the market share of local agricultural products by bringing together local producers and local food buyers to build localized sales relationships and to address barriers preventing localized sales.   Contact: Mary Embleton (206) 632-0606

Washington Beer Commission - $20,000 to promote Washington beer through a series of local festivals.  Funding for increased advertising and promotion will help expand participation at the festivals. Contact: Arlen Harris (360) 391-1232

Washington State Wine Commission - $20,000 for market promotion at the Taste Washington Tokyo event.  The commission will expand their presence at the event with a larger venue to accommodate more wineries; this will significantly increase the awareness of Washington wine among Japanese consumers. Contact:  Robin Pollard (206) 667-9463

Island Vision - $10,000 to start up a farmers market on Mercer Island The support throughout the community has been tremendous. Residents are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to purchase fresh produce and directly support local farmers. Contact:  Callie Ridolfi (206) 403-8188

US Hop Industry Plant Protection Committee- $15,400 to develop a hop MRL Database that will provide Washingtongrowers and shippers with information vital to avoiding trade barriers.Many countries are establishing their own pesticide residue regulatory systems, and the need for hop tolerance harmonization is greater than ever. Contact:  Ann George (509) 453-4749

Washington State Asparagus Commission- $15,000 to reproduce the Asparagus Buyers Directory and to participate in the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit trade show in October, 2008. Contact: Erin Gwinn (509) 266-4303

Seattle Chapter of Chefs Collaborative - $10,200 to help fund The Farmer Chef Connection conference. The purpose of the conference is to help foster the collaboration of relationship based marketing opportunities amongst local producers with local food buyers. Contact:  Seth Caswell (347) 432-3112

Community Agriculture Development Center - $10,735 to help build marketing infrastructure to connect local farmers and their products with local consumers through farm marketing workshops, marketing outreach, Farm-to-Table buying guides and farm tours. Contact:  Terry Swagerty (509) 684-2588

Coupeville Farmers Market - $5,900 to promote the Coupeville Farmers Market. The goal is to increase market awareness, increase the number of farmer vendors and build a local community food system. They will also educate customers to the benefits of Washington agricultural products grown on local farms and provide greater sales opportunity for island farmers. Contact:  Terry Swagerty (509) 684-2588

WashingtonState Beef Commission - $20,000 to help produce a video about beef production in Washington State. The video will help introduce consumers to the people and places where beef is produced and to demonstrate the commitment that each segment of the beef industry has to ensuring a safe and wholesome beef supply. Contact:  Patti Brumbach (206) 444-2902