In the fall, when crops are really rolling in, we sell more produce wholesale, especially as the holidays approach. The most abundant crops for our region are winter greens (kales, cabbages, Brussels sprouts, etc.), plus carrots and beets. These are Northern European crops that were developed in climates similar to ours, so they grow well here. In the fall, these crops comprise the lion’s share of our wholesale shipments, and most of those shipments go to the Seattle area.
Our biggest wholesale buyer is PCC Community Markets, a food cooperative based in Seattle. It is the largest consumer-owned food cooperative in the United States, with 11 retail locations in the greater Seattle area. It was PCC that stepped up to the plate and purchased the Delta Farm when it was on the verge of being developed, and gave Nash Huber a long-term lease and a future in farming in the Dungeness Valley. That purchase was the foundation for forming the PCC Farmland Trust that has gone on to protect at least 15 other significant agricultural properties in Washington.
We also wholesale to Organically Grown Co. (OGC) in Portland, Charlie’s Produce in Seattle and Discovery Organics in Canada. We sell to many local restaurants and co-ops, like the Food Co-op in Port Townsend, Central Co-op in Seattle and Sno-Isle in Everett. We deliver these weekly orders to the greater Seattle area and to our Seattle market pickups while our wholesale customers pick up directly from the farm.
Above, Sidney and Aaron pack 5# carrot bags for a PCC shipment this week.