LINC provides sustainable produce year round

LINC Box, a local farm-to-table subscription service of Local Inland Northwest Cooperative (LINC) Foods, is now available year-round so people can access local sustainable produce beyond the growing season.

Also supplying eggs, bread, mushrooms, coffee, cheese, meat and beer, it has 14 pick-up locations and does home delivery.

It works with more than 75 farmers and artisans, vegetable farmers, ranchers and others, including local organic producers.

When organizers learned carrots, potatoes, cabbage and onions were available much of the year, they started a winter LINC Box for 25 people. Incorporating add-ons from farms in the Puget Sound Food Hub, they can offer winter greens into the winter and spring seasons.

LINC Box has about 250 members in the winter and 350 in the summer.

"Our goal is to make sure people know how to eat locally and seasonally, and to share recipes to use some of the odd staples," said Michelle Youngblom, crop promotions director.

"Another way to increase food security is by supporting local farmers through emergency food providers," said Michelle. "We are contracted with the Washington State Department of Agriculture for the We Feed Washington Program, which serves emergency food partners in nine counties, distributing food for 550 to 700 households a week."

For information, visit lincfoods.com.