Melissa Kaemingk’s grocery routine is quite the journey. She lives in Maple Falls and typically heads to the Foothills Food Bank every Tuesday morning. If she arrives early, she often finds good deals and fresh items.
After visiting the food bank, she drives 27 miles to WinCo in Bellingham, spending about an hour there before making the return trip. These long drives take a toll when she also has to worry about doctor appointments or picking up medicine, as her pharmacy is at another grocery store in Bellingham.
This scenario is common in East Whatcom County. Many of the 8,589 residents travel significant distances for groceries. The federal Department of Agriculture classifies the area as “low-income and low-access.” This means that over 33% of the population lives more than ten miles from a major grocery store, making access to food a challenge.
The Foothills Food Bank is part of the Foothills Community Food Partnership, which helps coordinate services and produces reports on food access in East Whatcom every few years. In 2023, the county approved a food system plan aiming to ensure everyone has access to healthy foods. Ideas include waiving permit fees for food stores in low-access areas and working with local community groups.
Aly Robinson, a community health specialist, emphasizes that without access to healthy food, people may struggle in various aspects of life, including health and finances. Long travel times can increase costs as families spend more on gas.
For Melissa, who is 31, the distance is manageable thanks to support from the food bank. She often sees her neighbors there, reinforcing a sense of community.
According to estimates, the median household income in East Whatcom is around $70,673, slightly below the state average of $74,884. Many families in the Mount Baker School District qualify for free or reduced lunch programs, highlighting the local economic challenges.
During her visit to the food bank, Melissa greets staff warmly, demonstrating her connection to the community. The food bank is organized like a grocery store, allowing clients to select items based on family size. This setup helps families receive needed groceries without stigma.
Melissa often chooses healthier options for her kids, like flax oatmeal, and prefers to skip sweets. Though she originally studied social work, she now works security and drives a shuttle for the Mount Baker Ski Area. Her husband, Brennen, also works part-time at a local brewery. Both rely on the food bank and Medicaid to balance their busy schedules.
Living in this area isn’t just about the job; it’s part of their lifestyle. The couple often calculates whether a trip is worth the gas money. They also practice “trip-chaining” to make the most of errands, combining grocery runs with other stops.
While Melissa relies on her car, not everyone in East Whatcom County has that option. Public transportation can be lengthy and challenging, often requiring a whole day for a grocery trip, which adds layers of difficulty, especially for working families.
After the food bank, Melissa visits nearby markets. Kendall Market has improved its offerings recently, but still lacks fresh produce. Nugent’s Corner Market, which opened in 2020, provides more access to grocery items, though it’s still a drive away.
At Nugent’s, Melissa uses an app to manage her WIC benefits, which offers free groceries to eligible families. The app reduces any worries she might feel while shopping with food assistance benefits. She has experienced a supportive community attitude towards those using WIC, finding camaraderie rather than judgment.
Melissa shops locally for essentials but saves her larger grocery runs for Bellingham to save money. East Whatcom’s local stores struggle with food delivery costs and limited vendor options, making groceries more expensive than in larger markets.
Building a grocery store in this area presents challenges, as smaller operations can’t order as much stock or negotiate lower prices like larger chains. A new chain store would reduce their travel but could pose a risk to local businesses.
In the end, Melissa hopes for more access to affordable groceries but understands the balancing act between supporting local shops and having more food options available.
