Farmers Market Promotion Program (Market-Ready Mason)

Geographic Scope: Mason County, WA (one of three organizations in Washington and 43 nationwide selected)

Focus Areas:

• Support local farmers and producers
• Strengthen producer capacity
• Expand consumer access to local products
• Training and technical assistance
• Stakeholder coordination
• Feasibility study for new marketplace models (e.g., night markets)
• Connection of producers with institutional buyers
• Outreach to elevate local markets
• Food access and food insecurity reduction

Project Name: Market-Ready Mason

Key Activities:

• Feasibility study for new marketplace models (night markets, etc.)
• Producer-institutional buyer connections
• Expansion of outreach and local market elevation
• Model for rural food system development
• Farmer participation strengthening
• Food access improvement
• Building on Mason Matters partnerships

Eligibility: Economic development organizations (awarded to Economic Development Council of Mason County)

Partners:

• Mason Matters
• Choice Regional Health Network
• Mason Conservation District
• WSU Extension
• Kitsap-Mason chapter of the Washington Farm Bureau
• Thurston Economic Development Council
• Evergreen Coast Regional Partnership Economic Development District

Contact:

• Name: Kevin Shutty, Executive Director
• Phone: 360-426-2276
• Organization: Economic Development Council of Mason County