The Whidbey Island Fairgrounds and Events Center and the Port of South Whidbey announced the addition of the Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative to the fairground’s Malone Building, where the co-op will operate the Food Hub program.

The Food Hub is an online marketplace where over 40 local and regional producers sell their products to Whidbey Island households, restaurants, markets and schools. The Malone building will be used to aggregate and store the local products, then pack and distribute customer orders.

The Food Hub connects the community with local farms and supports local, small-scale food producers with services like cold storage and shared supply orders. The space the co-op will be occupying on the fairgrounds will allow it to grow for years while supporting other local businesses, including fairgrounds kitchen renters.

“I have had so many great conversations with their director and board members,” Fairgrounds Director Amanda Ellis said. “It’s up to them what the future of their business holds, but I will admit a Friday Market and Winter Market have both been mentioned and I am so very excited.”

Shannon Bly, executive director of Whidbey Island Grown Cooperative, said the group is looking forward to the partnership and the opportunities it brings.

“Moving our headquarters to the Malone Building space is going to allow us to grow and expand our Food Hub and farmer services,” she said.

Whidbey Island Grown board member Martin Vandepas of Slow and Steady Farm said the group is excited to have a centrally located space.

“Whidbey Island Grown is grateful to be a part of revitalizing the fairgrounds as a community hub that can better serve Whidbey’s small businesses, farmers and residents,” he said.

Healthy local food is in high demand on Whidbey. This partnership with the Port of South Whidbey will allow the Whidbey Island Grown Food Hub to expand to meet increasing demand and continue providing a crucial link between Whidbey farmers and Whidbey eaters.

The program allows Whidbey farmers to deliver to one of several convenient drop locations and reach a much larger customer base of residents, restaurants, and grocery stores from Oak Harbor to Clinton.

Questions for Whidbey Island Grown can be directed to shannon@whidbeyislandgrown.com or info@WhidbeyIslandGrown.com.

The Food Hub is moving to the Malone Building at the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds. (Image provided)