Community Farm Land Trust

Food for Farmland

Across the South Sound, fertile farmland is quietly disappearing—lost to development, rising costs, and the everyday pressures farmers face just to stay on their land. But there’s a simple, powerful way we can all help protect both farms and food for the future: by buying food directly from local farmers.

This fall, the Community Farm Land Trust (CFLT) is launching the Food for Farmland Fund to raise money for our annual Farms Forever dinner—a farm-to-table celebration that sustains our mission throughout the year.

Each year, Farms Forever brings together more than 100 guests to share a meal crafted entirely from local ingredients—grown, raised, and prepared right here in the South Sound. It takes over 600 pounds of locally sourced food to make this community celebration possible. In past years, our farmers have generously donated nearly all of it—offering hundreds of pounds of vegetables, fruits, meats, and flowers from their fields. 

But as costs rise for seeds, fuel, and labor, we need to show up better for our farmers—by purchasing their food and flowers at fair market prices.

By buying food now, we’re not just purchasing ingredients for next year’s dinner — we’re giving farmers assurance that their future produce will be purchased, allowing them to plan, invest, and grow with confidence. This ensures South Sound farmland remains productive and supports the livelihoods of farmers for years to come.