Village Concepts, the third generation, family-owned parent company of Mill Ridge Village, is known for providing high-quality care to residents of its retirement and assisted living communities across Washington state in a manner that is the essence of “locally grown.”

With the introduction of “Northwest Grown,” a dining and lifestyle program emphasizing locally sourced products, Village Concepts is focusing on community. As of summer 2015, Village Concepts communities have begun increasing local partnering, programming and menu selections to reflect the region’s history and culture.

Even their new busses are sporting local flair, courtesy of Village Concepts employee and photographer Kevin Knox.

“The Mill Ridge Village bus has Lake Surprise on one side and a view of Mt. Rainer on the other,” said Knox, a Washington native. “The back of the bus has a photo of the Nyholm Windmill, which has been in the area since way back in the day. The Nyholm’s store dates back to 1912. We recognize that each of these landmarks means something special to this community, and we want to celebrate that.”

As a Washington grown company, Village Concepts is committed to supporting local businesses, farmers, fishermen, and the culture of the great Northwest. Chief Operating Officer Stuart Brown developed the program as a way to connect with local partners to offer residents fresh, local food and support local growers. Look for Northwest Grown features in Village Concepts’ upcoming newsletters, program calendars and menus.