Free for Sustainable Connections members – Eat Local First is a collective marketing campaign that promotes local food & the businesses that sell it! It is the trusted community resource for finding truly local food and helps build market demand. In turn, Eat Local First businesses are committed to serving the freshest foods that have been grown, caught, raised, and crafted in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, and Island counties.
How To Participate
Grocers, restaurants, and food artisans –fill out the Eat Local First application and meet with one of our staff!
As an Eat Local First participant, we ask that you work towards shifting at least 10% of your total food purchases annually to locally grown foods. A 10% shift in our local food economy would mean an additional $50 million circulating in our local economy!
Apply to Be An Eat Local First Business!
What Does Local Mean?
In 2017 we did focus groups to find out what our community thought of when it comes to buying local. For many, there is a general mistrust of loosely labeled “local food.” The Eat Local First Campaign makes it concrete and is a trusted source for you to tell your farm to table story.
We define local as 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.
What You Get
Utilize free marketing materials that showcase your participation in the Eat Local First Campaign and let customers know you’re committed to providing the freshest food and supporting local farmers.
Businesses that proudly display Eat Local First materials make it easy for customers to both identify and trust that they are making a choice to eat truly local food.
MATERIALS OFFERED
Eat Local First logos
Eat Local First fork menu icon 
Eat Local First poster
Eat Local First twist ties ($4/bunch of 300)
Eat Local First window sticker
Eat Local First point of sale cards
HOW TO USE THEM
Display window clings, posters, and stickers in high traffic areas like the entrance to your business. Incorporate the Eat Local First logo on menus, specials boards, shelf cards, etc. to help folks identify local products. Use the logo in your own advertising, packaging, or marketing materials (high-resolution digital files are available, as well as varied versions icons to compliment your business’ brand). Farmers, fisherman, and food producers are encouraged to utilize materials on your website, on your signage and marketing! Ask us for materials and electronic files.
Need more materials?
Contact jessicam@sustainableconnections.org or (360) 647-7093 x111
Who is participating now?
Visit our Eat Local First Participant page to see all the local businesses that utilize this campaign.
View Participants
