Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Tumwater Planning Commission recommended the Tumwater City Council adopt a proposed food system plan.
The planning commission made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
The plan outlines the current condition of the city’s food system and identifies challenges and opportunities for improvement in various sectors. While it does not specify how it should be implemented, the document is intended to guide the city in developing strategies to address food insecurity. (Read more here)
The commission held a public hearing before endorsing the plan. Two people attended in person to deliver comments, and four others submitted written statements beforehand. All of the individuals expressed support for the proposal.
Community Farm Land Trust Chair Rachel Friedman said she appreciated how the plan promotes access to healthy food and local food production — values that align with her organization.
Some issues were raised by the public. Resident Rita Robinson wrote to express concern about the plan’s promotion of urban agriculture. Her comments were read aloud by Planning Manager Dana Bowers.
Robinson said the plan runs counter to the Growth Management Act, and that the city’s urban growth area should be used for housing density so rural lands could be preserved for agriculture.
John Ficker, Executive Director of Thurston County Food Bank, commented about budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which the plan refers to several times.
As one strategy for improving food access, the plan recommends helping farmers become certified to accept SNAP payments, as well using the city’s communication channels to promote food assistance programs, such as SNAP.
The document also highlights the SNAP Ed program as a community resource, but Ficker noted federal funding for the program will end on Oct. 1.
In regard to that issue, Bowers told the commission that changes to SNAP happened after research was done for the food plan.
Other comments offered suggestions and invitations for potential partnerships.
Jennifer Colvin, owner of Colvin Ranch near Tenino, urged the city to explore ways to support the Tumwater School District in purchasing food from local farms.
Bowers told the commission that because the school district and city are separate entities, the city council would need to direct staff to pursue such a partnership.
Mitch Lewis, co-owner of Summit Farms in Thurston County, commented on potential projects for the city.
Lewis encouraged officials to take advantage of the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Program, which helps schools source locally produced food by connecting them with farmers.
He said his farm was paired with the Rainier School District through the program, which he said was a “very simple” process.
“We would provide a fresh list every Friday, they would order. It was near retail prices, and they would use it to augment the kids (meals) like pizzas and salads,” Lewis said.
He added he is collaborating with other people interested in using the Tumwater Craft District for pop-up markets where farmers and ranchers could sell their products.
The plan has been forwarded to the city council for further review.
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