Feast Inc

URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATION PRODUCTION (UAIP) COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM.

AS A VITAL COMMERCIAL FISHING HARBOR, BELLINGHAM, WA LANDS AND PROCESSES MUCH SEAFOOD. HOWEVER, THE LARGE MAJORITY OF THE SEAFOOD HARVESTED HERE IS PROCESSED AND DISTRIBUTED TO DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. OUR LOCAL PUBLIC HAS LONG BEEN FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH OUR LOCAL FISHING FAMILIES TO PURCHASE QUALITY LOCAL SEAFOOD. THIS FACT COUPLED WITH THE DIFFICULTIES BROUGHT ON BY COVID (INTERNATIONAL MARKETS IN TURMOIL AND RESTAURANT CLOSURES) INITIATED COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS TO LAUNCH A START-UP DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER SEAFOOD SALES OPPORTUNITY OCTOBER OF 2020. BELLINGHAM DOCKSIDE MARKET, A PROGRAM OF BELLINGHAM SEAFEAST, IN ITS INITIAL START-UP PHASE, HAS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT OUR LOCAL/REGIONAL COMMUNITY ENJOYS AND APPRECIATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY DIRECTLY FROM OUR LOCAL FISHERMEN, TO LEARN WHERE AND HOW THEIR SEAFOOD IS HARVESTED, AND PRACTICE SIMPLE SEAFOOD MENUS. WITH THE DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS OF THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF BELLINGHAM DOCKSIDE MARKET, WE NOW NEED TO DEVELOP A SOLID FOUNDATION TO ALLOW THE MARKET TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE. DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING CLEAR STRATEGIES FOR GROWTH, OFFERING MORE FISHING FAMILIES (INCLUDING OUR TRIBAL FISHERMEN) EASY AND EFFICIENT PROCEDURES (TOOL KITS, TRAINING, AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT THE START-UP COSTS OF PERMITS AND INSURANCE) TO PARTICIPATE, EXPANSION TO INCLUDE LOW-INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAMS (SNAP), EXPANDED MARKETING OUTREACH, AND PROVIDING YEAR-ROUND CONSUMER EDUCATION/PROMOTIONS EFFORT TO COMPLEMENT THE ANNUAL BELLINGHAM SEAFEAST FESTIVAL ARE A FEW OF THE PLANNED STRATEGIES TO ENSURE A CONSISTENT AND VIABLE SEAFOOD MARKET PROGRAM BENEFITTING BOTH THE VENDORS AND OUR COMMUNITY.

THE LOCAL MOTIVE MOBILE FARMERS MARKET IS AN ONGOING FOOD ACESS PROJECT OPERATED BY FEAST DOWN EAST (FDE) THAT SOURCES PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL FARMERS THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION#S FOOD HUB.

LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM

MOBILE PRODUCE MARKET

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

FEAST DOWN EAST FRESH MARKET EXPANSION

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.

TO SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING COSTS IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.