Exploratory Meeting a Success!

With NABC's, Jeff Voltz, in the lead and a fabulous turnout of 38 interested individuals at the Lynden Library this evening, we walked through the opportunity of purchasing Keizer Meats, learned of the organizational structures available and discussed next steps.

The group consisted of everyone from farmers and local food enthusiasts to restaurants, retailers and manufacturers...not to mention one interested investor who simply likes to eat meat. The demand for Whatcom grown meat is evident even beyond Whatcom county with owners from the retail chain Bill the Butcher, making the trip from Seattle. We were also really pleased to attract the interest of Dick Hempler, owner of Hempler Meats, and Chris Irwin, owner of Boomer's Drive-In on Samish Way. 

The group, overall, leaned towards an LLC structure, however more research is needed to find out if a co-op structure is better suited to gain support from available agricultural monies or special interest rates offered by government organizations to support local agriculture.

With a number of questions asked, and not all of them answered, the group called for volunteers to form a steering committee to find the answers and keep the process moving. A diverse group of 7 individuals volunteered to form the committee, each with different skills and backgrounds.

The steering committee will meet next Thursday to assemble a to-do list and divide up tasks and responsibilities.

Thank you to all who attended the meeting and thanks to the local media for your help in making the meeting a success.