Check out Eat Local First’s ‘Holiday Food & Farm Finder’

What does it take to eat local during the holidays season -— or any time of year? Thanks to Bellingham-based Eat Local First, all it takes is your zipcode.

The nonprofit, which is committed to helping families find and eat “local” food grown, caught, raised, or made in Washington State, recently launched it’ annual “Eat Local for the Holidays.” Now in its fourth year, the initiative encourages all people to use its holiday food and farm finder to locate and support local farms, farmers, fisherfolk, restaurants and makers throughout the holiday season.

Through the campaign, Eat Local First offers simple ways to spread supports local farms and food businesses:

Take a pledge to eat local and gift local

In a release, the campaign called on families to “Join us in committing to seek out and purchase locally sourced food and farm products this holiday season. By taking the Eat Local for the Holidays Pledge, you not only enhance your holiday table but also enter for the chance to win $100 gift cards to your favorite local farm or food business.”

Use the Holiday Food and Farm Finder

Eat Local First’s Holiday Food and Farm Finder is a comprehensive database that allows families to locate more than 1,800 local farmers, growers, producers, and businesses across the state. From farm-fresh foods to locally grown and crafted holiday decor, the finder provides a business bio and contact information and places each business on a map so you can find whats closest to your family.

Giveaway

Eat Local First will give away $500 worth of local, farm-fresh foods. By signing the eat local pledge, your name will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift cards. Bonus entries can be earned by completing additional activities.

Local farmers depend on the holidays

Jessica Meyer, the Outreach Coordinator for Eat Local First, emphasized the importance of supporting small farms and food businesses during the holiday season.

“Many of our local farmers and food artisans depend on holiday income during a time of year when harvests are less plentiful,” said Meyer.

Eat Local First is  a collective of food system organizations. Collaborative members include Seattle Good Business Network, Sustainable Connections, The Local Food Trust, Tilth Alliance, Washington State University Food Systems, and Washington State University Regional Small Farms Program.