Western Washington farmers and consumers who support local food already love the Puget Sound Fresh app. Both Android and Apple users can use the app to find more than 350 farms and farmers markets, as well as recipes, harvest calendars and events.

Now the Fresh app has won a “Savvy Award” for best new mobile app from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA). The Savvy Awards recognize outstanding local government achievements in communications, public-sector marketing and citizen-government relationships.

Pierce County partnered with neighboring agencies, the University of Washington Tacoma and non-profit Cascade Harvest Coalition to create the app. It is designed to be a farm guide that fits on a phone. 3CMA judges were greatly impressed with the app’s user-friendly design. “We loved that this app has a clearly defined target use and that it is so well done! It’s a win-win for consumers, local farmers, and the county.”

The app has also been a useful tool for connecting consumers with farmers.

“Pierce County took the lead in developing this free app, and it’s now benefiting communities all over western Washington,” said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. “We’ve had nothing but positive feedback, and I’m proud that Puget Sound Fresh has received this kind of recognition.”

Sheryl Wiser, Communications/Puget Sound Fresh Manager for Cascade Harvest Coalition, spoke about how the app has helped preserve and promote sustainable farming across Western Washington.

“Thanks to Pierce County’s vision, partnership and amazing team, consumers around Washington State have quick and easy access to a growing list farms and farmers markets,” Wiser said. “With the increasing demand for fresh, healthy local food, consumers also want tools to keep them connected and mobile. The Puget Sound Fresh Mobile app puts healthy farms, healthy food and healthy communities together in one place.”

Pierce County staff worked with University of Washington Tacoma interns on the Fresh app. This program gives local college students real world experience in designing, building, and launching apps.