Eat Local First

Eat Local First is the trusted source for finding local food and farms and identifying the restaurants, markets, and food businesses that purchase from local food producers. We also provide them with the support and resources to continue to grow their business.

Sustainable Connections Food & Farming Program launched the Eat Local First campaign in 2011 to encourage people in Northwest Washington – residents and visitors alike – to choose local food first. We make it easy to find fresh local food with resources like the Food Atlas, the handy printed Food & Farm Finder and community events like Eat Local Month.

Look for the Eat Local First Logo at restaurants, grocery stores, and other locations around town to stay connected to businesses that commit to providing you the freshest local food.

Learn more about Sustainable Connections and how we are working in Northwest Washington to help businesses be more sustainable, and make this the best place to live, work, and play.

What is Local Food?

We define “local” as food that is grown, caught, raised, or made in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan & Island counties – an area where you could feasibly “know your farmer”. We crafted this definition because we have an abundance of food available in our little corner of the world and because local food is more than just measuring food miles – it’s getting to know farmers, fisherman, and food producers here in our backyard.

“Local” food refers to food and other agricultural products (for example, wool or flowers) that are grown or produced, processed, and then sold.

Why Eat Local

Which Local Businesses are Participating?

The following food businesses are passionate about supporting our local farmers and food system, and they’ve committed to shifting at least 10% of their food purchases to local ingredients. Some are doing much much more! Before you head out shopping or when you are trying to pick a place to eat, think about these businesses to Eat Local First!

Acme Ice Cream
Aslan Brewing Co.
Avenue Bread
BelleWood Farms
Bellingham Cider Co.
Bellingham Farmers Market Association
Bellingham Pasta Co.
Bellingham Technical College – Culinary Arts Program
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
Bow Hill Blueberries
Brandywine Kitchen
Breadfarm
Camber
Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen
Ciaò Thyme
Colophon Café
Community Food Co-op
Cosmos Bistro

Crave Catering
Crossroads Grocery, Inc.
Dandelion Organic Delivery
Evolve Chocolate Truffles LLC
Flying Bird Botanicals
Good To Go Meat Pies
Grace Harbor Farms
Haggen, Inc
Homeskillet
Infusion Cuisine
Kebab Casual
Keenan’s at the Pier
Kombucha Town
K’UL Chocolates
Lettered Streets Coffeehouse
Living Earth Herbs
Mount Baker Care Center
Paellaworks

Pacific NW Cruises
Pangea Ferments
Paradigm Pizza
Pizza’zza
Pure Bliss Desserts
Rifugio’s Country Italian Cuisine
Salt Pepper & Oil
Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants
Semiahmoo Resort
Shambala Ancient Grain Bakery 
Skagit Valley Food Co-op
The Rome Store & Country Kitchen
The C Shop, Candy Shop, Cafe & Pizza
The Cheese Shop at Appel Farms
Viva Farms
Western Washington University – Dining Services

Thank You to Our Eat Local First Sponsors & Partners

Bellingham Farmers Market

Thank You to Our Food & Farming Sponsors

Mt. Baker Care Center logo