Mark your calendar … we’ve set the date for groundbreaking at Blue Mountain Station!

A call for bids was advertised Wednesday, February 16th, starting the clock on the march toward construction. Contractors will have until March 9th to submit proposals for the project, and the Port of Columbia Board of Commissioners will award the contract for work at a special meeting March 16th. After the contract is awarded, construction will begin when weather and supply conditions allow.

In order to have a consistent timeline for the actual groundbreaking ceremony, the Blue Mountain Station Executive Committee has set the date for April 15th, 2011. Even though ground may have been “disturbed” prior to this date, we need a solid ceremony date during construction that will allow us to make appropriate plans to celebrate the official breaking of ground for this project.

A special email will be sent to eNewsletter subscribers with details on the ceremony. It is very important as a community to celebrate our successes, so I hope you will join us for this very special celebration.

In the meantime, a roundtable discussion with growers and processors interested in supplying products for or locating a business at Blue Mountain Station is in the planning stages. Please contact me by February 25th at jennie@portofcolumbia.org if you fit this category and are interested in participating in the discussion.

Roundtable discussion points will include exploring the potential for shared space and equipment in one building for smaller processors, and ways the Port can help now to support local foods and value-added ag entrepreneurs.

The new year, so far, is looking pretty good for the artisan food industry. This was best demonstrated by the 36th Annual Winter Fancy Food Show held in San Francisco January 16 – 18, 2011. Dennis Miller, president of Artmil, and myself had the privilege of attending the Show, continuing to carry the Blue Mountain Station flag. Participation was strong for both exhibitors and attendees and attitudes were positive. Of course, it was only January!

The National Association of the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT), producers of the show, projected over 1,300 exhibitors representing 50 plus countries promoting approximately 80,000 products. More than 17,000 food industry professionals were expected to attend. According to Dennis Deschaine, Chairperson NASFT, the exhibitor count was expected to increase 4 percent over 2010, including 120 first-time exhibitors. Growing first-time exhibitor participation is always a good sign. The Natural & Organic exhibition area continues to grow.

Blue Mountain Station, as usual, was extremely well received. We got our usual, but never tiring, “great concept”, “novel idea”, “it makes a lot of sense” and “send me more information” comments. This is the third Winter Fancy Food Show Dennis and I have attended, promoting Blue Mountain Station. It appears that our efforts are paying off as many companies recognized us and Blue Mountain Station from previous shows, or the Blue Mountain Station E-Newsletter or articles they read in trade magazines or web sites. We both left with a handful, make that two handfuls, of business cards of companies interested in follow-up communication, which, of course, Dennis and I will be happy to provide.

The next stop on the trade show circuit is Natural Products Expo West, in Anaheim March 10 – 13, 2011. If you will be attending the show and are interested in learning more about the exciting growth opportunities provided by Blue Mountain Station, please contact us at the following:

Even with a down economy, organic keeps growing. In its January/February, 2011 issue, Organic Processing magazine covers a bit of interesting news. According to a study titled “U.S. Families’ Organic Attitudes & Beliefs 2010″, conducted by the Organic Trade Association and KIWI Magazine, 41 percent of parents reported they are buying more organic foods today than a year ago, up from 31 percent reporting organic purchases in 2009. The survey highlighted that parents buy organic because they feel organic products are usually healthier, address concerns of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics, and provide a means to avoid highly processed foods and/or artificial ingredients. The study also showed three-quarters of U.S. families purchase some organic products, comprising a growth percentage of 36 percent versus 32 percent in 2009.

It is also looking good on the global stage. Organic Monitor in its new, “Global Organic Food & Drink Market” reports that 2009 sales increased 4.7 percent, small by organic standards, but growth none-the-less. The United Kingdom took a hit in 2009 as organic sales decreased while German sales remained constant. In contrast, some European countries showed significant growth, such as Sweden and France where sales increased by over 15 percent. The North American market became the “big dog”, surpassing Europe to become the largest organic market in the world.

So, food processors are optimistic, interested in new growth opportunities, organic sales are growing at home and abroad, and dirt will soon be turned for the newest innovation in the artisan food processing industry – Blue Mountain Station. Yes, I’d say that it’s looking good!