This blog post focuses on our Vashon Food for All organizing and resource sharing. We will continue to update this post with local resources and opportunities related to food production, preparation and distribution on Vashon-Maury Island.  There may be lessons for others here - and we are very interested in learning from other communities, so please send you suggestions to [email protected]. 

[Content originally sent in email March 16, 2020]  

Let's start with an article on Stocking Up -VS- Hoarding, see Leave Some For Your Neighbor. 

• Vashon Thriftway has asked that people SHOP ALONE. Bringing the whole family - or even a couple shopping together - makes it much harder to avoid close contact. VashonThriftway.com
  Thriftway offers ordering by phone or email but capacity is limited.
  Orders MUST BE PLACED by 2PM the PRIOR DAY
  ~ Orders for pick-up are possible on Monday-Wednesday-Friday.
  ~ Orders for delivery are possible on Tuesday and Thursday. (Service charge applies) 
  Place orders by email at [email protected] or by phone 206-463-2100 by 2PM the prior day.
  
  
• Vashon IGA is doing online grocery ordering and delivery using this website application:  https://shop.rosieapp.com/dashboard
  
  
• There two businesses providing restaurant delivery services on the Island:
  • Island Eats http://IslandEats.info
  • Vashon Eats https://www.vashoneats.com/ 
    
    
• Island Queen and Vashon Pizza (next to IGA) offer drive through/curbside service. (Other restaurants may be offering this as well - call the specific restaurant to check.)

Vashon Island Growers Association (VIGA) is working hard on a number of excellent projects in collaboration with farmers, growers and other Vashon service providers. 
See VIGA's March 20, 2020 update below. 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, VIGA’s goal is to move as much locally produced food as possible, to feed as many islanders as possible, and to provide our producers with the means to stay in business. We believe that in times like this our mission is more important than ever. 

The Vashon Island Growers Association supports growth of and access to locally produced food. As an association we are coming together to redouble our efforts for the good of our island community. These efforts are two-fold:  reimagining our marketplaces and supporting our neighbors with fresh, locally grown food while remaining adaptive and responsive to ever changing needs.

VIGA’s plan is as follows.

• Suspend the Vashon Farmers Market until April 25th (and possibly longer). 

• Vashon Fresh, VIGA’s online farmers market will open on April 4th.
  
  

  • Local farmers, crafters and prepared food makers can list their products on VashonFresh.com for online purchase. Need help? Please contact Dan Housholder at [email protected] or by phone at (206) 778-8001. 

  • Islanders can order online at VashonFresh.com for Saturday or Wednesday home delivery or pick up at the Village Green (home of the farmers market).
    
    

• VIGA will consolidate information about economic relief that our farmers and other vendors can apply for, along with other pertinent information. This information will be on our website, vigavashon.org, and will be updated as we gather it. We will continue to monitor and follow the guidelines issued by public health officials, state agencies and the Washington State Farmers Market Association.
  
  

Local farmers and crafters who depend on our market for a living are still here and need your support. Island grown products include vegetables, fruits, flowers, meat and dairy items, as well as the locally processed food and handcrafts you are used to getting at the farmers market. VIGA asks for your continued and expanded support of our islands’ growers and makers. Thank you!

VIGA’s Programs & Partnerships
Vashon Maury farmers and neighbors grow food; residents access food.

• VIGA’s Food Access Partnership has a farm stand map where VIGA Farm Bucks can be redeemed available online and will be printing hard copies for distribution to our community partners soon. (www.foodaccesspartnership.vigavashon.org)

• There is also a more comprehensive farm stand map available at the VIGA website which includes farm stands that don’t accept the Farm Bucks but can feed you just as well! (vigavashon.org)

• VIGA’s Get Growing program will offer resources and educational opportunities to increase home food production. Consider growing more food in your garden to support your household and potentially some of your neighbors as well. More information will be forthcoming at http://vigavashon.org/educate-e/.

• VIGA is asking that you consider growing an extra row or an extra flat of starts for the Vashon-Maury Food bank. If you are interested in growing but don’t have knowledge please reach out to VIGA at [email protected]. If you want to grow a row, grow starts for, or receive starts from the Food Bank to please contact Abby Findley at [email protected].

• VIGA plans to organize educational support, farm volunteers, and farm stand cooperative selling efforts. If you are interested in volunteering for anything surrounding our Food System on Vashon-Maury, please email [email protected], [email protected] and we will get back to you shortly.

The safety of our community is at the forefront of all these efforts.
We will continue to monitor and follow local, state, and national recommendations.

What you can do?

• Stay safe

• Participate as a vendor, or a consumer at Vashon Fresh.com

• Visit local farm stands

• Volunteer - help VIGA help Vashon. Get in touch at vigavashon.org.

• Donate to VIGA’s action plan at vigavashon.org:

  • Mail a check to PO Box 2894, Vashon, WA 98070

  • Use PayPal

  • Donate specifically to the Food Access Partnership

If you need service, please contact one of our outstanding community partners!

• The Senior Center

• The Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness (IFCH) and Community Dinners program

• La Comunidad

• Vashon Youth and Family Services (VYFS)

• The Vashon DOVE Project

• Vashon Community Care Center

• The Vashon Maury Community Food Bank

• Vashon HouseHold