Washington Women
in Food Systems
A warm and friendly group of 450+ women all working to build the local food economy.
We encourage you to join and get involved.
Our Vision
Empowered, respected women committed to equity, playing a strong, collaborative role in creating positive change to build a local sustainable food system.
Join Our Network
Membership in W2FS is free and access to the listserv is available to all members. To become a member and to also join the listserv click the button below. Include your first and last name, your organization and title if applicable, and your connection to the local food system.
Join us for our next virtual program: Tues, December 8, 6pm
W2FS Tenets
We are committed to creating positive change to build and cultivate an equitable, sustainable food system.
We believe that inclusive collaboration will foster the transparency that’s needed to guide our shared food systems work.
We will better actuate change by creating a sense of solidarity and a network that allows free expression and shared dialog.
We will serve as a support network to help women work through challenging times.
We see value in striving together to achieve equal employment opportunities for women across the WA food system.
We are dedicated to fostering the exchange of information to create synergies and partnerships among women in the Washington food system.
We believe in food sovereignty.
We value tolerance and diversity and are committed to anti-racism.
“What a wonderful gathering and presentation - enlightening, inspiring, and informative. I left filled with the pleasure of meeting so many thoughtful and incisive people and musing on future possibilities.”
“I am so thankful for this listserv because we in our little bi- or tri-county local food economies often don’t get to meet these folks, or know of their businesses and services. There is a lot more going on than many of us are able to keep track of on our own. Three cheers for W2FS!”
“I had a great time and as always, really enjoyed conversations with others. I continue to admire your efforts in coordinating this group and the value it’s adding to so many in career development, social support, and advocacy!”
About this group
W2FS is a network of people who identify as women and their allies who are interested in collaborating on stalled food systems projects, advancing new initiatives, and developing professionally. The ultimate goal is to foster networking and learning to make a greater impact in the local food space. The hope is that this effort will lead to information-sharing and relationship-building that creates camaraderie and solidarity to contribute to whole-systems problem-solving across the field.
In their professional roles, W2FS members have a stake in supporting local farmers, improving distribution systems, facilitating food access, furthering education, increasing consumer demand, incubating and supporting businesses (including farms), advocating for improved policies, saving farmland, and more.
All are welcome.
W2FS is an all-volunteer led organization with a tiny team leading logistics and programming. We welcome help — please reach out by email and tell us how you’d like to pitch in!
Community Listserv
Join Washington Women in Food Systems and gain access to a dynamic community listserv. Membership is free! The listserv is for:
Facilitating conversation
Circulating useful resources
Sharing job announcements
Building broad social ties among network members
Collecting content and feedback on various topics
Seeking collaborators for projects
Note: Currently the listserv is not moderated. If you have concerns about specific posts please contact W2FS by email.
“This is a robust, interdisciplinary group of women working in all facets of the food system in Washington, united by an ethics driven, sustainable ethos and camaraderie of spirit.”
-Heidi
Dynamic Programming
W2FS typically meets every other month for educational programs and networking.
Programs since 2018 have covered diverse topics such as: the USDA Farm Bill; pending Washington State legislation and advocacy opportunities; food insecurity and safety-net gaps; university food systems programs, conservation initiatives as farm support; the culinary field and local sourcing; forming co-operative business models; conservation districts' roles in supporting farmers and gardeners; locally-owned breweries and connections with Washington hop-growers; urban food waste solutions; industrial-scale indoor farming; and reducing barriers in the local food economy.
In October 2020 we held a virtual anti-oppression training with professionals from HeARTWork Collective. Join us for our next virtual program Tuesday, December 8, 6pm.
“Thank you so much for keeping us connected through W2FS. Now more than ever in food and agriculture, we see the importance of coming together for the common purpose of sustaining physical life and well-being for everyone on this planet. ”
“Thank you so much for opening the amazing experience of learning and networking to me last night! The Washington Women in Food Systems group is such an incredible collection of brilliant, thoughtful, and kind women who are truly changingthe world for the better. I enjoyed the workshop immensely, and found the discussion to be profound and thought-provoking. After last night’s event, I am more excited than ever to work shoulder-to-shoulder with these amazing professionals, and look forward to more exciting learning and networking opportunities!”