Bellingham groups launch campaign to provide locally-sourced meals to needy families

Two local groups are launching a year-long campaign to provide seafood and locally-sourced meals to families in need in Whatcom County and battle battle food insecurity in the county.

The campaign, called Boat to Table, is organized by SeaFeast and PNW Plateful and supported by Lummi Nation, Alaska Gold Seafood Cooperative, Birchwood Food Desert Fighters and the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center.

The seafood and meals will be made and packaged by Sarah Chan, executive director of PNW Plateful and owner of Calypso Kitchen, according to a news release.

SeaFeast is a waterfront and seafood festival in Bellingham that celebrates maritime culture and heritage. PNW Plateful is a local nonprofit that fights food insecurity by providing packaged meals through distribution networks.

“Our locally-sourced and nutritious seafood should be accessible to everyone,” said Kevin Coleman, program director for SeaFeast. “For the past eight years, SeaFeast has partnered with many organizations and our tribal communities to highlight this bounty we have here in Whatcom County, and we are proud to partner with PNW Plateful, our maritime and fishing industries, and other organizations battling food insecurity to provide this much needed-resource for our families in need.”

Over 500 meals will be distributed at gatherings and events throughout the county during the summer. Some initial gatherings and community meals include:

▪ Aug. 18 - Lummi Nation Commod Squad and Food Bank

▪ Aug. 26 - Birchwood Food Desert Saturday Meals

▪ Sept. 5 - East Whatcom Regional Resource Center & Foothills Food Bank Community Meal

SeaFeast and PNW Plateful intend to continue the Boat to Table program through 2024.

For more information, contact Jennifer Stephens, community engagement director, Bellingham SeaFeast, at jennifer@bellinghamseafeast.com