Since 2015, King County’s (WA) Local Food Initiative has provided a 10-year roadmap for strengthening the regional food system. The plan has guided investments, informed policy decisions, and supported cross-sector […]
“We are neither a traditional farmers’ market nor a traditional grocery store, but rather an intersection that takes the best features of both.” — Argus Farm Stop, Ann Arbor, MI […]
Across the country, interest in food as medicine is rapidly expanding as researchers, clinicians, and community partners develop new ways to integrate food, nutrition, and health. At Kansas State University […]
In almost every planning process, there’s a moment when the room goes quiet. It usually happens when a map, diagram, or floorplan goes up on the screen. Suddenly, the conversation […]
Food System Plan, Food Action Plan, Food and Nutrition Security Plan, Food Access Plan—these terms are often used interchangeably, but do they mean the same thing? In many cases, a […]
Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lānaʻi, has a rich history of sustainable food production and Native Hawaiian innovation. While many of these practices continue to […]
When we discuss using food to prevent, treat, or manage health conditions, two phrases dominate the conversation: “food is medicine” and “food as medicine.” While they might seem interchangeable, their […]
Throughout 2023 and 2024, the food system planning team at New Venture Advisors had the privilege of collaborating with the Kent County Food Policy Council in a comprehensive planning process […]
When “infrastructure” topped Merriam-Webster’s most significant words of 2021, it signaled more than just a trending term – it marked the beginning of a transformative era in America’s food system. As […]
News Update: On July 16, 2025, the USDA announced the termination of the Regional Food Business Centers initiative. No information has been provided about the future of other related efforts. […]
New Venture Advisors supported Whatcom County staff and the Food System Committee in developing the Whatcom County Food System Plan, a 10-year roadmap for a more equitable and resilient food system. NVA led plan development, community engagement, and cross-sector strategy, integrating agriculture, fisheries and marine harvest, processing, distribution, and access to strengthen the regional food economy. (2023)
Whatcom Community Foundation continues to partner with New Venture Advisors to guide the development of the Kitchens@Millworks —a bold project uniting health, equity, and market access. Building on previous work with the Farm to Freezer program, the team developed an operational model, financial analysis, and partner strategy. NVA is evaluating expansion of farm-to-institution efforts and their potential relocation to the new campus. Advanced financial models support a multi-operator facility encompassing production, aggregation, retail, and community programs. (2026)