Here are resources for you to start marketing your own catch:
- WSDA’s Handbook for Small and Direct Marketing Farms– A comprehensive resource of information, regulation, and strategies for direct marketing in the state of Washington, including Selling Fish and Shellfish factsheet.
- Bellingham Dockside Market-a hub for local fishermen in and out of Squalicum Harbor to sell their catch and harvest. Check out their Vendor Handbook to see if this would be a good fit for your operation!
- Wild Seafood Connection– a one-day conference aimed at the independent commercial fisherman who wants to learn about direct marketing to restaurants, retailers, brokers, and seafood buyers.
- Washington Sea Grant– Keep up to date on the latest news, education, and networking opportunities, including Direct Marketing Manual, a fantastic resources for beginners!
- Eat Local First Register– get your operation listed and make it easier for owners and operators of local farms, food businesses, and local food systems organizations in Washington State to find you!
- Selling Fish Direct Endorsement-The endorsement is a one-stop shop for those wishing to sell direct to consumers. Once a fisher gets a limited fish seller endorsement they do not need a separate DOH permit. They can sell their own catch directly to consumers and are exempt from chapter 246-215 WAC as long as they follow some basic safety requirements.
- Local Food System Infrastructure Grant-The purpose of the Local Food System Infrastructure Grant program is to support local food supply chains and market access for farms, ranches, food processors, and food distributors. The intention is to fund projects that expand and strengthen collaboration across linkages in the regional food supply chain. This includes planning, equipment, and facilities that support on-farm post-harvest handling, aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, distribution, and sale of Washington grown, caught, and raised foods.
- WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grants-WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grants are reimbursement grants to support child nutrition programs with funds to purchase foods grown, raised, caught, or foraged in Washington State with an emphasis on procurement from small and direct marketing farms and food businesses, including socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, women and veteran farmers and ranchers.
- Local Catch Network– a hub for knowledge exchange and innovation to support and catalyze local and community-based seafood systems. Today, the network is made up of more than 500 members, including over 200 seafood businesses from across North America.
