by Sarah Richard
Food Hub Project Manager
The San Juan Islands Food Hub brings people and food together on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan. Rebecca Anglin grows off-the-grid in the forest, seeking out little microclimates to maintain the growing temperatures and humidity needed for her beautiful Shade Maiden Mushrooms. Shannon Hoffman and Doug MacInnis share their passion for travel and culture through each delicious cup of coffee from Wanderlust Coffee Roasters.
An incredible food cycle happens year-round from seed to table, almost as if by magic, passing through the hands of numerous islanders with love, and it’s the Food Hub’s mission to bring it all together. For Food Hub staff and volunteers, it’s a joy to collaborate with the amazing food producers and islanders that make it possible.We all know food is a challenge living in the islands, and the SJIFH is working toward removing as many barriers as possible so we can all enjoy the bounty of the islands on our tables.
The Food Hub is an online system where you can order and pick up fresh local products at locations on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island. First, producers enter their products into an online system weekly, setting their pricing and quantity available Friday-Sunday on the Food Hub. Customers order from what is available, and orders are then prepared fresh to order and moved inter-island via the ferries. So, it’s possible to savor a salad with greens from Lopez, goat cheese from Orcas, and meat from San Juan all on one plate. The Food Hub is proud to accept SNAP/EBT. ¡Estamos emocionados de que ahora pueda comprar en el Food Hub en español! Elija entre inglés o español en la esquina superior de su pantalla cuando inicie la sesión.
There’s a variety to enjoy from season to season: fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, honey, jam, goat cheese, baked goods, prepared meals, and more. Find staple items, unique produce varieties often unavailable elsewhere, and premium cuts of meat.
The unique stories are a part of our island community, and we try to share them all: Emily Deason has found a way to blend her values and design background with growing thousands of vivacious and colorful Babypower Microgreens. Bruce Dunlop got into raising sheep by accident and hasn’t looked back with Lopez Island Farm. Emma Carter and Sam Dillingham, both queer cuties with they/them pronouns (not coupled together), run Goosefoot Produce along with the support of family. Eric and Shanley Loss outgrew their family garden and now share the bounty from Beaverton Garden.
We invite you to join these talented farmers in helping our local food system grow by placing an order today. See how it compares and let us know what you think. After all, it’s a system built for islanders by islanders with beautiful local food system stories. You can buy what you want, when you want, and there’s no membership fee. If you want to read more stories about local farms, follow us on social media or sign up for our weekly newsletters: https://sjifh.com/.
Emma Carter and Sam Dillingham of Goosefoot Produce.
