Elena Fernandez 

After a long hold on period due to Phd duties The Yummy Bull is rolling again, or I would say, running again… My first post of fall season is about an interesting topic related to Natural resources: the new Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, supported by a ton of local collectives in Eastern Washington and by FORKS association in an event that took place on Monday in Pike Place.

The Yakima Basin Integrated plan is leaded by American Rivers, The Wilderness Society and Trout Unlimited and its objective is to enhace Yakima River water supplies to create a sustainable frame that will permit to manage this precious resource for everybody involved in harmony.

Two of his primary goals are restoring salmon and steelhead populations from under about 25,000 today to 300,000 by improving fish passage into the Yakima Basin’s headwaters and to enhance water storage to make up for a declining snowpack due to climate change.

Yakima Valley´s bounty is really appreciated in Western Washington for local chefs and It has to be preserved for the next generations. Many of the nation’s wine grapes, apples, cherries, , and pears come from the Yakima River Basin, and 1/3 of the hops world production come from here too.

The Yakima Basin Integrated plan represents perfectly the spirit of FORKS, as a meeting point for the beginning and the end from the food chain, so many times lost and disconnected by the intermediaries. A dialogue that makes perfect sense in a place like Washington where local produce is revered like a treasure.

I not only had the opportunity to learn about this interesting plan but to taste beer from Fremont Brewery, wine from Sous Soul Winery and food from the new restaurant Orfeo just opened by Kevin and Teresa Davies, owners of Steelhed Diner and Blueacre Seafood. Fresh and really good food, especially the smoked cod salad with his beautiful wood flavor.

Ronald Holden, a Seattle veteran food blogger didn´t want to miss this event either. So I was lucky to enjoy his always entertaining conversation. He is preparing an updated version of his book Home Grown Seattle: 101 true tales of local food & drink.buscar and I´m looking forward to read it again.

Get here more info to support the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan