Buy Local Food In Kitsap

Peggy Hall- KCAA Director Candidate

Last modified on 2009-10-26 19:15:31 GMT. 1 comment. Top.

Peggy Hall

Why am I a member of the KCAA?

I became a member of the KCAA because I believe that Kitsap can produce an abundance of locally grown food (plants and animals), much like it did before the malls and big box stores covered over most of the productive farmland.  There are many health conscious consumers that hunger for more variety of locally grown products.  The KCAA brings together farmers, consumers and community leaders to share ideas and work to create a better, healthier Kitsap community.

What do I see as the priorities for KCAA in the coming year?

With an organization such as the KCAA, its members can join forces to educate the public on the health and economic benefits of buying local and help teach and encourage the next crop of farmers.  I would like to encourage the KCAA to continue to support organizations such as the Kitsap Food Co-op and Puget Sound Meat Producers Coop (PSMPC) .

About me…

I am a retired Army Reserve Master Sergeant (E-8) that spent 4 years on active duty as a Television Production Specialist at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL.  That’s where I met my husband Scott.  We have been married for 27 years and have three terrific teenagers.  I was fortunate enough to spend 13 years as a stay at home mom, while in the Army Reserve as a Human Resources Computer Specialist/Instructor and subsequently retired on 4/4/04 with 23 years of service.    I have an AA degree from Olympic College with an emphasis in Accounting and Economics.

As for my farming background, I have managed a large family garden since 1994, was a Master Gardener from 1999-2005 and a Weed Advisor from 2003-2006. My kids and I vended our strawberries at the farmers market before they started school.  From 2000-2001, I served as the Administrator for the precursor to this organization, the Kitsap Food and Farm Alliance, where my biggest accomplishments included developing and maintaining an Access database of 100+ farms in the county, editing and publishing a 24 page Farm Gazette using Microsoft Publisher of which 10,000 copies were distributed throughout the county, and assisting in the production of a 30 minute video documentary of local farms which aired on BKAT.   I have attended WSU’s Small Farming and Ranching Course.

I currently work at the Naval Hospital Bremerton in Quality Management Department as a computer assistant where I develop databases and process improvement solutions.  I am also an Independent Business Owner in the Health and Beauty industry.  I offer organically grown, naturally sourced vitamins and supplements that help fill in the gaps between the fast food lifestyle to which many of us are accustomed and the optimal health that can be achieved when eating food from the whole spectrum of the nutrient scale especially those grown locally.

What can I offer to the organization?

One of my most recent passions is the health benefits of eating healthy food particularly locally sourced food.  I was especially moved by the recent films, “Fresh” and “Food, Inc” and the Michael Pollan books, “In Defense of Food” and “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and how they reference the industrialization of the food industry and the ramifications of an unhealthy lifestyle.  After I have studied the subject more, I would be interested in giving talks during our monthly meetings.

My husband Scott and I formed the Legacy Farm Project as a means to help preserve farmland and to help more people get into farming in Kitsap County.  By helping to preserve more farmland, we can all help ensure food quality, safety and availability for all in this region.

I really enjoyed helping with the recent Local Food Chef Showoff and would like to continue the help bring more locally grown produce and protein to the Kitsap Community.

If needed, I would also like to help in developing database solutions and/or video presentations for the organization.

Thank you for your consideration.

Keeping It Local,

Peggy Hall
13786 Forsman Rd SE
Olalla, WA  98359
peggyah@centurytel.net