The food, farming, and fishing culture of Northwest Washington is rich and diverse, and one of the most exciting ways to explore our region’s offerings is by taking a trip on the Farm to Table Trails. Whether you’re a local hoping to learn more about your backyard or a visitor coming to the area for a getaway, the Farm to Table Trails have something for everyone.
The Farm to Table Trails are a project of Sustainable Connections, a local non-profit. The trails are designed to highlight farms, markets, seafood businesses, restaurants, and farm stands throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties. At each location, you can “check in” to earn points and win prizes. You can explore the loops stop-by-stop or choose your own adventure. Think of the Farm to Table Trails as your foodie friend who loves to show off their favorite spots!
When it’s time to start exploring, head to farmtotabletrails.org for the complete map and share your adventures with @farmtotabletrails on social media.
Barbie’s Berries | Photograph courtesy of Sustainable Connections
Cream of the Crop from Blaine to Custer Trail
This trail highlights the pastoral beauty and seaside towns of North Whatcom County. Whatcom is known for its “berries and dairies,” and this loop highlights some of the best alongside other regional treasures. While certain locations on the Farm to Table Trails are open year-round, there are others that are seasonal, like u-pick berries.
Grace Harbor Farms | Photograph courtesy of Sustainable Connections
During summer, visit Barbie’s Berries in Ferndale for juicy strawberries. Then head to Custer for Grace Harbor Farms, a full-fledged processing dairy with a darling on-site farm stand. It’ll often be stocked with milk, yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, microgreens, natural skincare, and eggs. You won’t want to miss Widnor Farms, a livestock ranch focused on regenerative and sustainable practices. They produce high quality dry aged beef, forest raised pork, pastured chicken and lamb, eggs, and more. Their craft butchery skills take their meats to the next level.
Widnor Farms | Photograph courtesy of Sustainable Connections
Ferndale to North Bellingham Noshes Trail
This trail is packed with hidden gems as well as familiar favorites. Begin your journey at Oak Meadows Farm in Ferndale, a small-scale, pasture-based, regenerative livestock farm. They have an incredible farm stand called the Acorn Market—it’s a one-stop shop for all your local food dreams.
Oak Meadows Farm | Photograph courtesy of Sustainable Connections
Adventure on to Lummi Seafood Market, where locally- caught seafood shines. As they say on their website, the “majority of our products are proudly caught by Indigenous-Native American people from around the Pacific Northwest.” Keep an eye on their socials to hear when fresh uni drops, as it’s an ultra-local specialty!
Of course, we can’t talk about local food without talking about Bellingham’s Community Food Co-op. Their Cordata location is the place to go for seasonal produce, a top-tier hot bar, and beauty and wellness products.
Lummi Seafood Market | Photograph courtesy of Sustainable Connections
Treats in a Row from Edison to Bow Trail
This loop takes you through the charming towns of Edison and Bow. Skagit Valley, also known as the “Magic Skagit” for its rich alluvial soil and agricultural heritage, is bursting with local food and farm treasures.
Make your first stop Samish Bay Cheese, a family-owned and-operated organic dairy farm in Bow. While they have an incredible selection of cheese, yogurt, milk, and kefir, they also have a well-stocked shop with other local goods, from pasta to cider to jams to meat.
Grace Harbor Farms | Photograph courtesy of Sustainable Connections
One farm stand is simply not enough, so continue down the road to Boldly Grown Farm. Boldly Grown is a certified organic family farm with a specialty in fall and winter crops, as well as a Winter CSA. Their self-serve farm stand features their own vegetables, flowers, value-added items, and pasture-raised eggs, plus products from other local farms and food businesses.
You’ll also want to make a stop at Bow Hill Blueberries, a small family farm with a big commitment to growing and preserving organic heirloom blueberries. Visit their farm store to try their blueberries, blueberry ice cream, or sip on cold- pressed blueberry juice. When blueberries are ripe, they open their fields for u-pick. It’s a wonderful chance to experience the harvest and indulge in local berries.
Bow Hill Blueberries | Photograph by Harley Soltes
These are just three of the Farm to Table Trails, and just a few of the businesses on each loop. Whatcom and Skagit counties are incredible communities for local agriculture. From food to flowers to fiber and more, the Farm to Table Trails curate fun and educational experiences that bring you closer to where your food is grown and who grows it. Sustainable Connections, 1701 Ellis St., Ste. 221, Bellingham, 360.647.7093, farmtotabletrails.org
