Developing Regional Wholesale Markets for Farmers on the Olympic Peninsula

USDA Rural Development Grant

The NODC was awarded a planning grant of $38,891 from USDA Rural Development’s Local Food Promotion Program in December 2019 to identify the most effective strategies to expand regional wholesale markets for producers on the North Olympic Peninsula. NODC worked with partners WSU Clallam County Extension, The Local Food Trust and Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula on a study targeting producers who are interested in expanding and could benefit the most from assistance with aggregation, distribution and capacity building, as well as buyers who want to increase their purchases of local food but have faced barriers in working with multiple small producers. Specific objectives of the project included:

  • Determine the needs and capacity of both buyers and producers across the Olympic Peninsula.
  • Identify local assets and supply chains to increase market channels and acquisition.
  • Provide recommendations for needed infrastructure appropriate to the scale of producer, buyer and regional needs.


The report on the project, Developing Regional Wholesale Markets for Farmers on the Olympic Peninsula: Assessment, Barriers and Recommendations, can be read here.

Other Articles:

Energy Futures Conference

By Amy Nash • May 17, 2023
NODC partnered with PNNL and regional stakeholders, including local governments, tribal communities, public utilities, and economic development agencies, on an Energy Futures Conference for the North Olympic Peninsula.

Marine Renewable Energy

By Amy Nash • May 17, 2023
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will explore the feasibility of Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) to increase grid resilience on the North Olympic Peninsula. As a partner on the project, NODC will build on previous regional planning processes for climate change adaptation, natural disaster resilience and energy to develop and lead a multi-criteria decision-making approach to engage communities and Tribes across the Peninsula in the project to identify needs and define important project metrics.

Regional Climate Action Planning for the North Olympic Peninsula

By Amy Nash • December 9, 2021
In late 2020, NODC was awarded funding through the Puget Sound Partnership from the EPA's National Estuary Program for Phase 2: Municipal Level Climate Action Planning for the North Olympic Peninsula.
Show More