Eat Local First Olympic Peninsula is celebrating Eat Local Month in September with a public push to applaud the work of local farmers, fishers, ranchers, chefs, restaurateurs, grocers, and others who support our local food system.

For the second year, the collaborative is highlighting ways to enjoy local food in Clallam and Jefferson counties. Throughout the month the local community will be engaged through social media to learn about farmers and producers in the region, where to buy local products, and to how help individuals and families access fresh, healthy food. 

The campaign showcases regionally grown food and provides creative ways for communities to support everyone who brings local food from the farm and sea to our forks.

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners added their voices to the effort at Monday’s meeting, passing a proclamation to “encourage residents and visitors alike to join in celebrating” September as Eat Local Month. 

Commissioners took turns reading the proclamation, which stated:  “The Salish Sea region has provided a rich bounty of local foods from both the water and the land, which has been stewarded by the S’Klallam people and other visiting tribes since time immemorial.”

Jefferson County has a rich agricultural history, with “ongoing economic growth in the food and farm sector,” according to the proclamation.

Throughout Eat Local Month consumers will be encouraged to participate in a virtual bingo challenge. Individuals will be asked to take photos of the activities listed on the bingo card, then post and share them with the hashtag #eatlocalfirstolypen. 

Every hashtagged post gets an entry to win one of several prizes, including a one-night stay and dinner at the Red Lion Hotel in Port Angeles, a picnic basket filled with local food items, gift cards to various retailers, Eat Local-branded promotional items, and more.

People can follow Eat Local First Oly Pen (@eatlocalfirstolypen) on social media in September for a virtual journey through the farmlands, seas, markets, and restaurants of the Olympic Peninsula.