The Whatcom Community Foundation announced a new collaboration with the Northwest Agriculture Business Center and Industrial Credit Union to help launch the North Cascades Meat Producers Cooperative, a 20-member organization of meat producers seeking to develop a new processing and wholesale distribution program in Island, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties.

The cooperative is seeking additional members and some additional start-up funds, according to a press release. The Whatcom Community Foundation is adding a deposit to its existing ICU account that will serve as a loan guarantee for the cooperative.

Organizers of the collaboration said the deal will combine the skills and expertise of each organization to expand and strengthen the local agriculture economy by making affordable start-up capital available.

More information on the North Cascades Meat Producers Cooperative is available online at www.northcasecademeats.com.