2019-01-22 Meeting with Dave FennMeeting with Dave Fenn
January 22, 2019
9:02 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Dave Fenn, Mike Peroni
Guest: Alex Brown (9:27 a.m.)
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Dave Fenn said National Foods no longer buys produce from this side of the mountains. He said that
change has prompted him and others to look at other options for the area.
Dave and Mike Peroni said Skagit Valley has embraced grain terminals and that Skagit Valley officials
have indicated they would be willing to help Lewis County if it went in that direction, too.
Commissioner Jackson left at 9:06 a.m.
The group discussed proposed Senate Bill 5423.
Dave said a group interested in pursuing the grain efforts also would be interested in securing .09
funding for its project.
Commissioner Jackson returned at 9:11 a.m.
The group discussed food hubs, aggregation centers and USDA-approved slaughterhouses.
The group discussed the economic benefits these types of partnerships.
Commissioner Fund said Randy Mueller would know how to apply for .09 funding.
Alex Brown joined at 9:27 a.m.
Dave said the group working on the effort has decided on the name “Chehalis Valley Grain Project.”
Meeting ended at 9:31 a.m.