How to Eat Local

Simple Ways to Eat Local

Top 5 Ways to Eat Local — Here are five practical shifts you can make in the way you and your family eat to nourish the people you love, and nourish the place you live!

The Local 10 — Whatcom and Skagit counties are producing food year round! Here are ten things you can always find locally, regardless of the season.

You can find both of these resources inside the Food & Farm Finder – pick one up at over 200 locations including the Bellingham Farmers Market, the Community Food Coop, Village Books, and your local library.

Eat with the seasons

Harvest of the Month makes eating with the seasons easy by featuring a local seasonal food item each month. Keep your eyes peeled! Many local restaurants and grocers are also participating with Harvest of the Month specials!

Join us every second Saturday of the month at the Bellingham Farmers Market for Demo Days at the Market – a free and informal cooking demonstration utilizing local produce items, with recipes to boot. Contact us if you are interested in volunteering to cook and demonstrate Harvest of the Month recipes.

Third Saturdays from May-October we conduct a Chef in the Market series, featuring local chefs cooking with local ingredients.

Eat With Businesses That Source Local

Eat Local First Participants — Many of our local food businesses and restaurants are passionate about supporting our local farmers and food system, and they’ve committed to shifting at least 10% of their food purchases to truly local ingredients. Some are doing much much more! Double your impact by choosing local businesses that also source locally, and before you head out shopping or when you are trying to pick a place to eat, think about these businesses to Eat Local First!

Listen to stories
and share yours

As much as choosing local first is about a just and vibrant economy, it also about connecting; get to know your local business owner or farmers – either through our blog or in person. Also, share your local story with those you love. The beautiful bottle of wine or sassy six pack you bought for dinner can be more than a beverage, it can be a way to inspire others to invest in local too!

Make local food
work for your budget

Eating local can work for any budget, it just takes planning.

Farm Shares (CSA) : One great way to get local food for a great price is by purchasing a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share – on average CSAs cost 30% less than buying the same organic produce at the farmers market or grocery store.

Buy in bulk: Look for dry beans, grains, spices, etc, and use ALL of your produce (we’re talking broccoli stems, kale stems, beet greens, radish greens). Waste Not, Want Not: Did you know that in America, 40% of edible food is wasted? Plan ahead by buying what you need and using what you buy, making a meal plan, and shopping smart, to save your $ and wasted food.