From Farm to Fleet: Connecting Guests to Local Communities
Before the first ship sets sail for Alaska, there’s a different kind of choreography happening just miles from the Port of Seattle – one that connects local farms to the guest experience on board. For Carnival Corporation, that work reflects a broader commitment to sourcing fresh, regional ingredients in ways that support local economies while enhancing what guests enjoy at sea.
That commitment comes to life through partnerships with suppliers like Charlie’s Produce, a family-rooted company that helps stock ships with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables each week during the Alaska cruise season. From the farm to the ship, the process is carefully coordinated to ensure quality, consistency and a direct connection to the communities these sailings call home.
It all starts at the farm, where local growers cultivate fresh fruits and vegetables that are sold to regional suppliers, like Charlie’s. These partnerships ensure that agricultural products are sourced locally, supporting Washingtonian farmers while providing high-quality, sustainable ingredients.
“You’re supporting me and my family, but you’re also supporting all the workers we employ,” says Jake Sterino, owner of Sterino Farms. “They all live here, and they shop here, so you’re supporting a whole community.”
Distributors like Charlie’s Produce play a critical role in connecting farms to Carnival Corporation ships. They help stock ships sailing from Seattle each week during the Alaska cruise season. Once on board, travelers can enjoy fresh, regional cuisine that enhances the onboard dining experience and encourages deeper connections with the communities they visit when cruising.
“Iron sharpens iron,” says Tygann Billow, co-CEO of Charlie’s Produce. “We feel like Carnival Corporation is a partner that requires us to be awesome and pushes us.” These partnerships help bring small farms to a larger stage, transforming local ingredients into economic opportunities for small local businesses while creating meaningful guest experiences.
“It has a great impact from an economic point of view for local communities,” says Stefan Miles, food and beverage director, Eurodam. “Plus, guests recognize that our ‘buy local’ approach allows them to play a role in contributing to the development of local communities.”
