Submitted by Caitlin Leck, on behalf of the Food System Team.
Only 4% of food purchased in San Juan County is produced here. How can we grow more local food? That question — and many others — has guided the creation of the Food System Plan for San Juan County, now published and available to the public.
This community-driven roadmap offers practical strategies and visionary goals to strengthen and relocalize the islands’ food system. Developed through extensive research and a multiphase public engagement process, the Plan identifies clear actions to increase local food production, support producers, improve equitable food access and enhance ecological resilience. It reflects the input of hundreds of islanders — including farmers, ranchers, fishers, tribal members, grocers, restaurateurs and food artisans — who helped shape its priorities and approach.
The Plan focuses on five core goals:
Scale up local food production
Support small- to mid-scale farmers with resources, infrastructure and innovation to increase production and build a resilient local food economy.
Steward land and enhance ecosystems
Promote sustainable farming, soil health, water conservation and biodiversity to align agriculture with ecological well-being.
Ensure access to healthy food
Expand affordable local food options, strengthen distribution systems and support food security programs.
Reduce and transform waste
Cut plastic use, compost food waste and launch food recovery programs to reduce environmental impacts and support community needs.
Grow community connections
Foster collaboration among farmers, residents, businesses and Indigenous communities to build a strong, adaptive food system.
The Plan affirms the central importance of the San Juan Islands and surrounding Salish Sea as the traditional and ancestral homelands of Coast Salish nations. Strengthening relationships between Coast Salish Peoples and islanders is fundamental to the Plan’s goals, strategies and implementation.
A resource created by and for the people of San Juan County, the Plan brings together local knowledge and shared values to support a thriving, equitable and place-based food system.
The Food System Team invites the community to stay engaged in this ongoing work:
• Stay informed: Sign up to receive updates as the Food System Plan is implemented.
• Align your work: Synergize your organization’s actions with countywide efforts through consultation with the Food System Team coordinator.
• Share your ideas: Suggest tools or platforms to support community-led action.
We extend our deep appreciation to all those who have made this project possible!
To read the Food System Plan for San Juan County, visit sjiagguild.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Food-System-Plan-for-San-Juan-County.pdf. Please contact the Food System Team at foodsystem.sjc@gmail.com to learn more.
