Food Biz Week is an opportunity for food and farm businesses at all levels of food production and food retail in the Pacific Northwest to learn from industry experts and fellow experienced colleagues through a curated week of virtual panels, presentations, and networking activities. The event will be all virtual, so food and farm entrepreneurs are invited to attend from anywhere in the region.

Food Biz Week is an opportunity for food and farm businesses at all levels of food production and food retail in the Pacific Northwest to learn from industry experts and fellow experienced colleagues through a curated week of virtual panels, presentations, and networking activities. The event will be all virtual, so food and farm entrepreneurs are invited to attend from anywhere in the region.

Finding Farmland

Lily Gottlieb-McHale – Washington Farmland Trust // Anna Chotzen – Viva Farms // Shelley Pasco – Whistling Train Farm

A panel exploring various options and support for addressing the land access challenge.

Responding to the Post-COVID Consumer: New & Emerging Markets

Devra Gartenstein – New Day Cooperative // Rand Rasheed – One Leaf Farm // Chris Teeny – Pacific Coast Harvest

A panel discussion on new markets and channels that have emerged or expanded as a result of the pandemic and thoughts on how to reach consumers post-COVID.

These panels were recorded 2/22/21.

Exploring Post-COVID Sales Channels

Logan Niles – Pot Pie Factory // Devra Gartenstein – Patty Pan Collective // Katie Cole – Molly Moon’s

A panel exploring post-COVID sales channels for packaged food and value-add businesses. Discover what our speakers have learned works and explore new opportunities in selling packaged foods!

Packaging and Labeling for Retail

Dan Smith – RECIPE 33 // Susan Soltes – Bow Hill Farm (former owner) // Kara McKnight – Timber City Ginger Beer // Donna Moodie – Marjorie Restaurant & Miss Marjorie’s Steel Drum Plantains

A panel discussion on tips and best practices for getting retail-ready from expert businesses who have successfully gone retail.

These panels were recorded 2/24/21.

Exploring Funding Options

Lauren Anderson – Grain Artisan Bakery + Market // Ray Williams – Black Farmers Collective // Hannah Wilson – Yes Farm, Black Farmers Collective // Sash Sunday – OlyKraut

A panel of business owners will talk about unique ways to fund food and farm businesses outside traditional loans like crowdfunding, self-funding on a budget, grants, investors, and more!

Traditional Financing for Food and Farm

Erika Lindholm – Craft 3 // Roland Chaiton – Business Impact NW // Darcy Maldonado – USDA Farm Service Agency

A panel of lenders to help you explore various pathways and options for lending in launching or growing your food or farm business.

These panels were recorded 2/25/21.

Foodservices Outlook: 2021 and Beyond

Eric Tanaka – Tom Douglas Seattle Kitchen // Jasmine Donovan – Dick’s Drive-In // Lilian Ryland – Naija Buka

Panel exploring the current status and future outlook of the food service industry, from restaurants, to food trucks, catering, pop-up shops, and more. We’re looking at what has worked and how it will continue.

Successful Pivots during COVID and Beyond

Eric Tanaka – Tom Douglas Seattle Kitchen // Efrem Fesaha – Boon Boona Coffee // Rodney Hines – Métier Brewing Company

A deeper dive into successful pivots in food service from business owners who have launched, grown, and/or pivoted during the pandemic

These panels were recorded 2/26/21.