Food Bank Fresh is a nationally recognized and model program pioneered by Bellingham Food Bank which serves to deliver local, farm fresh produce to the food bank at a fair price to the growers. By using early season contracts, farmers are guaranteed fair market value for the produce they supply and food bank clients are ensured of year-round access to the freshest and most seasonally appropriate items. With nearly 60,000 visits annually to the Food Bank, the operation of Farm Bank Fresh is crucial to the gold standard that BFB has procured for its clients. Continued funding for this project has secured contracts with numerous BIPOC growers in Whatcom and Skagit counties and increased food production in the region.