SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIONS WILL ESTABLISH A ROBUST MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION NETWORK ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE UNITING OVER 25 ORGANIZATIONS TO BOLSTER LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT AND PROMOTION. THIS PROJECT WILL LEVERAGE THE EXPERTISE OF SEVERAL KEY PARTNERS TO TRANSFORM WASHINGTONS FOOD SYSTEM SUPPORTING SMALL FARMS FISHERIES PROCESSORS AND RANCHERS. THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL NEED FOR ORGANIZED COLLABORATIVE MARKETING TO SUPPORT THESE PRODUCERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES MANY OF WHOM LACK THE CAPACITY TO INDEPENDENTLY CREATE AND SUSTAIN EFFECTIVE MARKETING TOOLS. ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES INCLUDE IMPROVED MARKET ACCESS FOR FARMERS AND PROCESSORS ENHANCED VISIBILITY FOR REGIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS AND STRENGTHENED REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS BENEFITTING STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING CONSUMERS STATE AGENCIES SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS. THE PROJECT WILL ENGAGE REGIONAL PARTNERS SUCH AS WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION PROGRAMS AND LOCAL AGRICULTURAL GUILDS ACTING AS REGIONAL LEADS TO ENSURE AUTHENTIC REGIONAL REPRESENTATION AND SUPPORT FOR PRODUCERS AND BUSINESSES WITHIN THOSE COMMUNITIES.