LIFT
Connecting Local Institutional Buyers to Local Farms and Food!
Learn more about specific toolkits, procurement and promotion resources, videos, webinars and ongoing projects.
What is LIFT?
A partner network leveraging existing resources and support for institutional buyers and producers by providing technical assistance to purchasers looking to source local products for their institutions and helping farmers reach success in these markets. Our core advisors and partner organizations work collaboratively to enhance the sustainability of the regional food system by increasing the amount of local food served in King County schools, hospitals, colleges and other institutions.
Who is LIFT?
King County regional organizational partners that support farm to institution projects and programs. Our team consists of the following core technical advisors as well as partner organizations with resources to support Farm to Institution efforts:
Why create LIFT?
Repeated regional studies have shown that purchasers default to traditional supply streams for products without support to find local food available at the scale, consistency and cost they desire. With a team of technical advisors, purchasers at King County institutions can connect directly to a person able to help them reach their local procurement goals. To learn more, visit the following studies:
- Recommendations of the King County Farms and Food Roundtable
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Healthy School Meals
- The Good Food Bag Toolkit from The Farm to Table Partnership
- Recommendations of the King County Farms and Food Roundtable
- The King County Local Food Initiative
Who benefits from LIFT?
- Partner organizations benefit by leveraging and highlighting their resources through a simple, accessible avenue to direct traffic to their organizations and provide technical assistance
- Buyers benefit by having all of the resources they need for local food sourcing in King County in one place
- Vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and hospital patients benefit from increased access to healthy fresh food
How do I support LIFT?
We are so glad you asked! If you would like to know more information or to see if your organization is a good fit to work with this team, please contact our project managers below.
Project Manager:
Katie Lynd, Food System Planner: katie.e.lynd@gmail.com
Tricia Kovacs, Education
Jenny Newbrey, Health Care
Luke Woodward, Business and Community