Washington State Department of Agriculture

WHAT DO YOU NEED TODAY?

Need help finding food or other assistance?

If you or someone you know is struggling to access food, help is available.
211 Washington connects people with local hunger relief resources and other types of assistance, including housing, utility costs, and more. Visit wa211.org to learn more.

The WSDA Food Assistance Program supports communities and lower-income families by improving access to safe, nutritious food. Visit agr.wa.gov/foodnearyou to find food banks, food pantries, and similar resources in your area. More information is also available on our hunger relief resources webpage.

To learn about the status of SNAP benefits, visit the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services website.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years.


Our diverse roles include providing fee-based services to the agriculture community, promoting Washington agricultural products, and ensuring regulations are observed.  
 
We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities — from ensuring food safety to environmental protection — touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.


Latest News Releases

In a joint press release with Washington State Department of Health and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, WSDA asks the public not to touch wild birds and to take precautions handling domestic birds.
School cafeterias across Washington state will spotlight and serve locally grown foods as part of the annual Taste Washington Day celebration.
 

WSDA confirms new HPAI cases in domestic flocks in Jefferson, San Juan, and Clark counties.


Latest Blog Posts

Santa’s reindeer were cleared by the State Veterinarian to travel into Washington after meeting all animal health and movement requirements. Santa follows strict biosecurity practices, including veterinary checks, protective clothing, and sleigh disinfection, to prevent disease spread. After the trip, the reindeer are quarantined and monitored to keep the herd healthy.

Flooding in Western Washington has displaced people and animals and created serious health and safety risks. Recovery depends on prioritizing safety, veterinary care, and clean feed and water.

Recent flooding has significantly impacted agricultural operations across Washington. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced multiple disaster assistance programs to help farmers, ranchers, and landowners recover losses related to crops, livestock, infrastructure, and land.

Below is the full USDA announcement outlining available programs, deadlines, and contact information. This information is reposted from the USDA to ensure producers have timely access to critical recovery resources.


Hearings and Events

December 2025


There are no events scheduled for this month.

January 2026


February 2026


Respirator Fit-Test Train the Trainer Workshop (Eng & Sp)

Respirator Fit-Test Train the Trainer Workshop (Eng & Sp)

  February 10, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Quincy, WA
Website: https://agr.wa.gov/services/education-and-training/pesticide-technical-assistance-and-education/wps-train-the-trainer/train-the-trainer-refresher/respirator-train-the-trainer-program
Contact: Joanne Rouse     509-665-9641
(CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS)

March 2026


Respirator Fit-Test Train the Trainer Workshop (Eng & Sp)

Respirator Fit-Test Train the Trainer Workshop (Eng & Sp)

  March 10, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Hood River, OR
Website: https://agr.wa.gov/services/education-and-training/pesticide-technical-assistance-and-education/wps-train-the-trainer/train-the-trainer-refresher/respirator-train-the-trainer-program
Contact: Kris Schaedel     541-386-4588
(CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS)

FoodEx Trade Show*

FoodEx Trade Show*

  March 10, 2026 - March 13, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Japan
Website: https://agr.wa.gov/departments/business-and-marketing-support/international/activities
Contact: Zachary Garza     509-731-0197
(CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS)

April 2026


There are no events scheduled for this month.

May 2026


There are no events scheduled for this month.

Recalls and Health Alerts

WSDA helps ensure that products in Washington state are produced and sold in a safe manner. If a human or animal food product may be harmful, WSDA will recommend that a food producer recall the product.