Support Whatcom farms and restaurants during Eat Local Month, a ‘culinary adventure’
Whatcom County is full of great chefs, local fishermen and farmers who bring quality food and ingredients to our homes.
During “Eat Local Month” this September, you can support these members of Whatcom’s community in a “celebration of eating local food and honoring those who grow, raise, harvest and prepare it to share with this community.”
Eat Local Month is put on by Sustainable Connections in an effort to educate Whatcom County residents on the local people who grow, fish, make, raise and cook food. The month-long celebration will include a variety of events and educational programs, as well as special dishes to enjoy at local restaurant.
Your guide to Eat Local Month:
Market Week: Sept. 1-9
During Market Week, the celebration focuses on local farmers and vendors who bring their products to markets across Whatcom and neighboring counties. Here are a few you can visit:
▪ Bellingham Farmers Market — open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from April through December at 1100 Railroad Ave. in Bellingham.
▪ Lynden Farmers Market — open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from June through September at 319 Grover St. in Lynden.
Farm Week: Sept. 10-16
During Farm Week, the celebration focuses on local produce, dairy and flower farms across Whatcom and Skagit counties. Here are a few events during the week you and your kids won’t want to miss:
▪ Whatcom County Farm Tour — visit 12 local farms, cellars, creameries and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. The free event is open to all ages and shows visitors a look inside where their food comes from.
▪ Visit local farm stands across the county.
▪ Visit a local U-Pick apple or pumpkin farm.
Restaurant Week: Sept. 17-23
During Restaurant Week, the celebration will focus on local chefs, bakers and restaurant owners. Local restaurants will be featuring specials on their menu made with 50% or more local ingredients throughout the month. Here’s a few restaurants that are participating:
▪ The Admiralty Lounge in Bellingham
▪ Beach Store Cafe on Lummi Island
▪ Penny Farthing restaurant at Chuckanut Bay Distillery in Bellingham
▪ Pure Bliss Desserts in Bellingham
▪ Infusion Cuisine in Lynden
▪ Rifugio’s Country Italian Cuisine in Deming
Seafood Week: Sept. 24-30
During Seafood Week, the celebration focuses on the Salish Sea, which provides fresh seafood to our local fishermen and markets. Here’s a few staples of the week:
▪ Bellingham Dockside Market — the market features local fishermen who can sell their fresh catches directly from their boats. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2 and 16 at Gate 5, or the Fishermen’s Pavilion at Squalicum Harbor at 722 Coho Way in Bellingham.
▪ Try out this recipe to make your own whole salmon with herbs at home!
For those coming from out of town, or want a mini vacation in their hometown, the event’s website encourages “extending your culinary adventure by staying in beautiful Bellingham and Whatcom County,” in a local hotel or resort.
For more information, visit the Eat Local Month website.
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