Applications Now Open for Winter Fancy Food Show 2025

WA State Applications Close August 1, 2024.

The Scaling and Connecting Food Entrepreneurs Team is sponsoring booth fees for two food entrepreneurs for each state to attend the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas in January 2025. Ideal candidates produce a CPG product ready for distributor and buyer sampling and have annual revenue of under $1 million. Please review the flyer for business eligibility, expectations, and requirements. If you are a Washington food business interested in bringing your product to the Fancy Food Show with the RFBC, please apply by August 1, 2024.

Washington

Although the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center concluded operations in July 2025 following the cancellation of USDA Agricultural Marketing Service funding, the following resource links allow Washington businesses to locate events, technical assistance providers and funding.

Please note that the Center itself is no longer providing technical assistance, grants, events, or direct services.

Resources

All / Annual Events, Conferences & Summits / Contact Information / Funding Opportunities / Recommended Newsletters and Listservs / Technical Assistance Providers & Programs / Webinars & Recordings

Contact Information

WSU Food Systems Program

WSDA Regional Markets Program

Recommended Newsletters and Listservs

Regional Markets Meat & Poultry Assistance Program and WA MEAT UP
Regular outreach for meat and poultry related opportunities for producers and processors.

WSDA Regional Markets: Current opportunities for farmers in Washington
See upcoming and open opportunities for farmers and food businesses in Washington State.

Washington Food and Farm Resources Listserv
Open announcement list for WA Food and Farm Stakeholders to share educational resources on sustainable food and farming systems

WSU Food Systems Program Listserv
Updates on events, news & publications, and upcoming educational offerings from the Food Systems Program.

Tilth WA Sustainable Ag Farmer Forum
A space for peer-to-peer learning, resources & funding opportunities. A project of Tilth Alliance, generously supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).

Good Food Forum
Good Food Forum is an online community connecting stakeholders across our regional food system to facilitate new market opportunities, match resources, and share events, knowledge, recommendations, and best practices. This is a free resource open to anyone who works to grow, harvest, preserve, prepare, move, provide, and serve food & beverages within or with service to the Puget Sound region, as well as the businesses and organizations that support that work.

Tilth Alliance Farmer E-News
Sign up for Tilth Alliance’s Farmer Enews to receive a monthly roundup of educational opportunities, job openings and resources for Washington farmers directly to your inbox. Check the “WA Farming and Agriculture” interest box.

Annual Events, Conferences & Summits

Tilth Alliance Conference
This year’s Tilth Conference will be presented in collaboration with the Spokane Conservation District’s (SCD) Farm & Food Symposium to represent farms of all sizes across Washington! We’re bringing together growers, organizations, food system activists, researchers, and educators to learn, network, and celebrate together in Spokane Valley, WA, on November 12-15.

Good Food Connections
Good Food Connections is a farm-and-sea-to-table food trade conference connecting farmers, fishers, artisans, chefs, buyers, and community food stakeholders around a common table for networking, conversation, education, and good food.

Eat Local First Tradeshow
The Eat Local First Trade Meeting is NW Washington’s premier FOOD & FARM BUSINESS CONFERENCE. We bring together 180+ farmers, fishers, chefs, grocery buyers, food artisans, processors, and distributors for one day filled with valuable networking and connection opportunities, a vibrant expo, inspiring business panels, and the ever-delicious locally sourced lunch.

Wild Seafood Connection
WILD SEAFOOD CONNECTION is a one-day conference aimed at the independent commercial fisherman who wants to learn about marketing and direct marketing to restaurants, retailers, brokers and seafood buyers.

Washington Fishermen’s Convention
The Washington Fishermen’s Convention aims to unify and celebrate our state’s fishing industry, with something to offer everyone in the community. The Convention will be an up-to five-day learning and networking opportunity for both new and experienced fishermen.

Webinars & Recordings

Cascadia Grains Regional Calls
The Cascadia Grains network and supporting events bring together farmers, bakers, brewers, distillers, brokers, investors, policy-makers and others to strengthen the role of grains in our local food economy by sharing the latest science, techniques, and developments, as well as creating a space in which new business, policy and research relationships can form and existing ones can be strengthened.

WA Meat Up Quarterly Calls
The WA Meat Up website has recordings from several WA Meat Up quarterly calls, with topics such as offal management and the poultry processing exemption.

Farm Walks Podcast
These farmer-to-farmer educational opportunities are hosted by organic, sustainable, and innovative farm and food businesses throughout Washington State. Always aiming to highlight our farmer hosts and their unique expertise and experiences. We reach new, beginning, and existing farmers seeking education, advice, and mentorship from these experienced farmers, as well as agricultural and food systems professionals, and WSU Extension Specialists. Farm Walks are shared on-farm through a guided walk-and-talk style tour and via podcast!

On-Farm Trials Podcast
Here on the On-Farm Trials Podcast, host Carol McFarland dives into the different trials that come with farming systems innovation in the inland Pacific Northwest, speaking with professionals all across the region about how they get things done.

Technical Assistance Providers & Programs

WSU Food Systems
The Washington State University Food Systems Program integrates multidisciplinary expertise across extension, research, and teaching; offering specialized resources for strengthening the sustainability of Washington’s food and farming systems.

WSDA Regional Markets
The Regional Markets Program works to strengthen the economic viability of small and direct-marketing farms and ranches, and to increase the availability of healthy, locally-grown foods for all Washingtonians and support robust local food and agricultural economies. Our programs offer information, resources, training and technical assistance, and regulatory guidance to farms and local buyers of Washington agricultural products.

Eat Local First
Eat Local First is the trusted source for finding local farms and identifying the restaurants, markets, and food businesses that purchase from local food producers.

Business Impact Northwest
Food & Farm Business Services, a part of Business Impact NW, offers comprehensive support for food and farm entrepreneurs across Oregon & Washington State. We provide access to essential skills, resources, networks, and marketplace opportunities to help you start, run, and grow your food or farm-related business.

Northwest Agricultural Business Center
Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC) provides northwest Washington farmers with the skills and the resources required to profitably and efficiently supply their products to consumers, retailers, wholesalers, food-service operators, and food manufacturers. Its main office is located in Mount Vernon in the heart of Washington’s Skagit Valley farm region.

Intertribal Agricultural Council
The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) is a member organization representing Tribes and individual producers nationwide, ensuring culturally appropriate outreach and engagement with its stakeholders and partners in the agricultural field.

Northwest Native Chamber
Northwest Native Chamber is dedicated to working with all members of the community to transform the economic landscape for Native and Tribal people in the Northwest

Good Business Center of WA
Good Business Network of Washington (formerly Seattle Good Business Network) is a nonprofit coalition of local businesses, municipalities, community organizations, and residents working to build a resilient and vibrant local economy.

Washington Sea Grant
One of 34 Sea Grant programs across the nation funded through NOAA, Washington Sea Grant helps people and marine life thrive by providing research, technical expertise, and education supporting the responsible use and conservation of ocean and coastal ecosystems.

Evergreen Biz Link
Online resource navigator to help businesses find funding and other business resources.

WA Microenterprise Association
The Washington State Microenterprise Association’s mission is to strengthen economic development systems that support the growth of strong and effective Entrepreneur Support Organizations* (ESOs).

Partners for Rural Washington
Washington State’s federally designated Rural Development Council, PRWA is a non-profit organization dedicated to truly partnering with rural communities – especially those with fewer than 1,000 residents.

Coalition for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture
The Coalition for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture (CORA) a powerful coalition of farmers, businesses, organizations, and activists advocating for progressive programs and policies in support of organic and regenerative agriculture in Washington State.

PROGRAMS

Cultivating Success Whole Farm Planning
Cultivating Success™: Whole Farm Planning will walk you through a step-by-step process, to help you prepare a well thought out plan for your land, life, and farm business.

Cultivating Success Agricultural Entrepreneurship
This is an in-depth farm and food business planning course. We will walk you through the necessary steps to create a business plan for an existing farm-based business or a completely new enterprise.

Roots to Rise
Roots to Rise is a business coaching and mentorship program for farm businesses in the Pacific Northwest. The course features a variety of offerings from January-March. Producers must be in business for 2+ years to be eligible.

Resilerator NW
The Resilerator is like a business accelerator, but with an emphasis on developing long-term sustainability and resilience rather than sprinting toward short-term profits. This 10-week cohort-based course is for farmers and ranchers who are ready to evaluate and improve the health and resilience of their agricultural business.

Food Finance Institute – Financial Foundations for Farms
The Food Finance Institute exists to help food and farm businesses thrive at every stage through finance-forward training, coaching, and consulting. They have recurring live online courses designed for different food and farm business management topics.

The Farmer’s Office Trainings
Short, on-demand courses on pricing, accounting, cash flow, and more.

Funding Opportunities

WSDA Local Food System Infrastructure Grant
The purpose of the Local Food System Infrastructure Grant program is to support local food supply chains and market access for Washington farms, ranches, food processors, and food distributors. The grant funds projects that expand and strengthen collaboration across linkages in regional food supply chains in Washington. This includes equipment and facilities for post-harvest handling (including slaughter), aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, distribution, or sale of Washington grown, caught, and raised food.

AgWest New Producer Grant
At AgWest Farm Credit, we recognize that a lack of start-up funds can be challenging for many new producers. This grant opportunity celebrates the ingenuity and passion of new producers and helps them bring dreams to fruition. This program was developed for those who have a vision for their operation but lack the funds to put their plans into action.

Washington State Organic & Sustainable Farming Fund
Every year, Tilth Alliance provides grants to farmers seeking financial assistance to support projects that improve the economic viability, social impacts or environmental sustainability of their farm businesses.

Title	Link	Description
Outside Additional Funding
WSDA Local Food System Infrastructure Grant	https://agr.wa.gov/departments/business-and-marketing-support/small-farm/infrastructure-grant	The purpose of the Local Food System Infrastructure Grant program is to support local food supply chains and market access for Washington farms, ranches, food processors, and food distributors. The grant funds projects that expand and strengthen collaboration across linkages in regional food supply chains in Washington. This includes equipment and facilities for post-harvest handling (including slaughter), aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, distribution, or sale of Washington grown, caught, and raised food.
AgWest New Producer Grant	https://www.agwestfc.com/about/community-engagement/grants/new-producer-grant	At AgWest Farm Credit, we recognize that a lack of start-up funds can be challenging for many new producers. This grant opportunity celebrates the ingenuity and passion of new producers and helps them bring dreams to fruition. This program was developed for those who have a vision for their operation but lack the funds to put their plans into action.
Washington State Organic & Sustainable Farming Fund	https://tilthalliance.org/our-work/wa-farming-agriculture/washington-state-organic-sustainable-farming-fund/	Every year, Tilth Alliance provides grants to farmers seeking financial assistance to support projects that improve the economic viability, social impacts or environmental sustainability of their farm businesses.
Notable TA Providers/Partnerships
WSU Food Systems	https://foodsystems.wsu.edu/	The Washington State University Food Systems Program integrates multidisciplinary expertise across extension, research, and teaching; offering specialized resources for strengthening the sustainability of Washington’s food and farming systems.
WSDA Regional Markets	https://agr.wa.gov/departments/business-and-marketing-support/small-farm	The Regional Markets Program works to strengthen the economic viability of small and direct-marketing farms and ranches, and to increase the availability of healthy, locally-grown foods for all Washingtonians and support robust local food and agricultural economies. Our programs offer information, resources, training and technical assistance, and regulatory guidance to farms and local buyers of Washington agricultural products.
Eat Local First	https://eatlocalfirst.org/	Eat Local First is the trusted source for finding local farms and identifying the restaurants, markets, and food businesses that purchase from local food producers.
Business Impact Northwest	https://businessimpactnw.org/food-farm-business-services/	Food & Farm Business Services, a part of Business Impact NW, offers comprehensive support for food and farm entrepreneurs across Oregon & Washington State. We provide access to essential skills, resources, networks, and marketplace opportunities to help you start, run, and grow your food or farm-related business.
Northwest Agricultural Business Center	https://www.agbizcenter.org/	Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC) provides northwest Washington farmers with the skills and the resources required to profitably and efficiently supply their products to consumers, retailers, wholesalers, food-service operators, and food manufacturers. Its main office is located in Mount Vernon in the heart of Washington’s Skagit Valley farm region.
Intertribal Agricultural Council	https://www.indianag.org/	The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) is a member organization representing Tribes and individual producers nationwide, ensuring culturally appropriate outreach and engagement with its stakeholders and partners in the agricultural field.
Northwest Native Chamber	https://nwnc.org/	Northwest Native Chamber is dedicated to working with all members of the community to transform the economic landscape for Native and Tribal people in the Northwest
Good Business Network of WA	https://seattlegood.org/	Good Business Network of Washington (formerly Seattle Good Business Network) is a nonprofit coalition of local businesses, municipalities, community organizations, and residents working to build a resilient and vibrant local economy.
Washington Sea Grant	https://wsg.washington.edu/	One of 34 Sea Grant programs across the nation funded through NOAA, Washington Sea Grant helps people and marine life thrive by providing research, technical expertise, and education supporting the responsible use and conservation of ocean and coastal ecosystems.
Evergreen Biz Link	https://evergreenbizlink.com/	Online resource navigator to help businesses find funding and other business resources.
WA Microenterprise Association	https://www.wamicrobiz.org/	The Washington State Microenterprise Association’s mission is to strengthen economic development systems that support the growth of strong and effective Entrepreneur Support Organizations* (ESOs).
Partners for Rural Washington	https://www.partnersruralwa.org/about/	Washington State’s federally designated Rural Development Council, PRWA is a non-profit organization dedicated to truly partnering with rural communities – especially those with fewer than 1,000 residents.
Coalition for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture	https://tilthalliance.org/our-work/wa-farming-agriculture/coalition-for-organic-regenerative-agriculture/	The Coalition for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture (CORA) a powerful coalition of farmers, businesses, organizations, and activists advocating for progressive programs and policies in support of organic and regenerative agriculture in Washington State
Recommended TA Programs
Cultivating Success Whole Farm Planning	https://www.cultivatingsuccesswa.org/whole-farm-planning	Cultivating Success™: Whole Farm Planning will walk you through a step-by-step process, to help you prepare a well thought out plan for your land, life, and farm business.
Cultivating Success Agricultural Entreprenurship	https://www.cultivatingsuccesswa.org/agricultural-entrepreneurship	This is an in-depth farm and food business planning course. We will walk you through the necessary steps to create a business plan for an existing farm-based business or a completely new enterprise.
Roots to Rise	https://businessimpactnw.org/food-farm-business-services/root-to-rise/	Roots to Rise is a business coaching and mentorship program for farm businesses in the Pacific Northwest. The course features a variety of offerings from January-March. Producers must be in business for 2+ years to be eligible.
Resilerator NW	https://www.agbizcenter.org/business-services/northwest-resilerator/	The Resilerator is like a business accelerator, but with an emphasis on developing long-term sustainability and resilience rather than sprinting toward short-term profits. This 10-week cohort-based course is for farmers and ranchers who are ready to evaluate and improve the health and resilience of their agricultural business.
Food Finance Institute - Financial Foundations for Farms	https://foodfinanceinstitute.org/grow-your-food-business/financial-foundations-for-farms/	The Food Finance Institute exists to help food and farm businesses thrive at every stage through finance-forward training, coaching, and consulting. They have recurring live online courses designed for diferent food and farm business management topics.
The Farmer's Office Trainings	thefarmersoffice.com/all-courses/	Short, on-demand courses on pricing, accounting, cash flow, and more.
Webinars or Program Recordings
Cascadia Grains Regional Calls	https://www.cascadiagrains.com/regional-calls	The Cascadia Grains network and supporting events bring together farmers, bakers, brewers, distillers, brokers, investors, policy-makers and others to strengthen the role of grains in our local food economy by sharing the latest science, techniques, and developments, as well as creating a space in which new business, policy and research relationships can form and existing ones can be strengthened.
WA Meat Up Quarterly Calls	https://www.wameatup.com/	The WA Meat Up website has recordings from several WA Meat Up quarterly calls, with topics such as offal management and the poultry processing exemption.
Farm Walks Podcast	https://www.farmwalks.org/podcast	These farmer-to-farmer educational opportunities are hosted by organic, sustainable, and innovative farm and food businesses throughout Washington State. Always aiming to highlight our farmer hosts and their unique expertise and experiences. We reach new, beginning, and existing farmers seeking education, advice, and mentorship from these experienced farmers, as well as agricultural and food systems professionals, and WSU Extension Specialists. Farm Walks are shared on-farm through a guided walk-and-talk style tour and via podcast!
On-Farm Trials Podcast	https://www.pnwfarmersnetwork.org/podcast/	Here on the On-Farm Trials Podcast, host Carol McFarland dives into the different trials that come with farming systems innovation in the inland Pacific Northwest, speaking with professionals all across the region about how they get things done.
Recurring Events (Annual Summits, etc.)
Tilth Alliance Conference	https://tilthalliance.org/event/tilth-conference-farm-food-symposium/	This year’s Tilth Conference will be presented in collaboration with the Spokane Conservation District’s (SCD) Farm & Food Symposium to represent farms of all sizes across Washington! We’re bringing together growers, organizations, food system activists, researchers, and educators to learn, network, and celebrate together in Spokane Valley, WA, on November 12-15.
Good Food Connections	https://seattlegood.org/good-food-economy/good-food-connections/	Good Food Connections is a farm-and-sea-to-table food trade conference connecting farmers, fishers, artisans, chefs, buyers, and community food stakeholders around a common table for networking, conversation, education, and good food.
Eat Local First Tradeshow	https://sustainableconnections.org/events/eat-local-first-trade-meeting/	The Eat Local First Trade Meeting is NW Washington’s premier FOOD & FARM BUSINESS CONFERENCE. We bring together 180+ farmers, fishers, chefs, grocery buyers, food artisans, processors, and distributors for one day filled with valuable networking and connection opportunities, a vibrant expo, inspiring business panels, and the ever-delicious locally sourced lunch.
Wild Seafood Connection	https://www.wildseafoodconnect.com/	WILD SEAFOOD CONNECTION is a one-day conference aimed at the independent commercial fisherman who wants to learn about marketing and direct marketing to restaurants, retailers, brokers and seafood buyers.
Washington Fishermen’s Convention	https://wsg.washington.edu/event/washington-fishermens-convention/	Westport — The Washington Fishermen’s Convention aims to unify and celebrate our state’s fishing industry, with something to offer everyone in the community. The Convention will be an up-to five-day learning and networking opportunity for both new and experienced fishermen.
Recommended Newsletters and/or Listservs
Regional Markets Meat & Poultry Assistance Program and WA MEAT UP	https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/meat_and_poultry_assist	Regular outreach for meat and poultry related opportunities for producers and processors.
WSDA Regional Markets: Current opportunities for farmers in Washington	https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAAGR/subscriber/new?topic_id=WAAGR_65	See upcoming and open opportunities for farmers and food businesses in Washington State.
Washington Food and Farm Resources listserv	https://foodsystems.wsu.edu/	Open announcement list for WA Food and Farm Stakeholders to share educational resources on sustainable food and farming systems
WSU Food Systems Program Listserv	https://wsu.us15.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=58ddffa4c5859f2bd19d921b7&id=a76c72930d	Updates on events, news & publications, and upcoming educational offerings from the Food Systems Program.
Tilth WA Sustainable Ag Farmer Forum	https://tilthalliance.org/our-work/wa-farming-agriculture/	A space for peer-to-peer learning, resources & funding opportunities. A project of Tilth Alliance, generously supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
Good Food Forum	https://seattlegood.org/good-food-economy/good-food-forum/	Good Food Forum is an online community connecting stakeholders across our regional food system to facilitate new market opportunities, match resources, and share events, knowledge, recommendations, and best practices. This is a free resource open to anyone who works to grow, harvest, preserve, prepare, move, provide, and serve food & beverages within or with service to the Puget Sound region, as well as the businesses and organizations that support that work.
Tilth Alliance Farmer E-News	https://tilthalliance.org/get-involved/sign-up-for-our-newsletter/?int=farming-ag	Sign up for Tilth Alliance’s Farmer Enews to receive a monthly roundup of educational opportunities, job openings and resources for Washington farmers directly to your inbox. Check the “WA Farming and Agriculture” interest box.
Contact Information
WSU Food Systems Program	https://foodsystems.wsu.edu/staff/
WSDA Regional Markets Program	smallfarms@agr.wa.gov

Grants open to eligible Washington businesses

Grant	Target	Amount	Expected # of awardees	Open date	Close date
Right-Size Investing and Infrastructure	Coming soon! Stay tuned for updates.
Washington State	Coming soon! Stay tuned for updates.
Tahoma Peak Solutions	Coming soon! Stay tuned for updates.

Opportunities for Food and Farm Businesses

Booth Funding for Food and Farm Businesses

A new opportunity is available through the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center Scaling Food Entrepreneurs theme team. Washington food and farm businesses can apply for sponsorship (up to $2,000) to have booth and tabling fees covered at eligible trade shows. The goal of this funding is to reduce barriers of participation at regional markets where vendors have the opportunity to meet buyers and expand their markets. Businesses selling Washington-grown products or products with Washington-grown ingredients are highly encouraged to apply! This is a limited reimbursable funding opportunity. You must apply at least two weeks in advance of the trade show.

Apply here.

Eligible show include, but are not limited to:

Gobble Up Northwest | Seattle, WA | June | Website
Native Grown and Gathered Expo | Seattle, WA | October | Website
Provender Alliance | Hood River, OR | Website
Good Food Connections | Seattle, WA | February | Website
Eat Local First Tradeshow | Bellingham, WA | February | Website
NW Food Show | Portland, OR | April | Website
Vendor fees at a farmer’s market of your choosing

WSDA Regional Markets team maintains a great resource page full of educational offerings, grant openings, and other opportunities for farmers. Check it out here.