Imagine a vibrant local food system producing all the vegetables, dairy, grains, and meat that we eat. 

The fact is, we are surrounded by numerous farms and farm stands that provide some, or all, of these foods.

But how do we address the often-discussed dilemma that residents need affordable food and farmers need enough consumers to cover their expenses (mortgages, rents, equipment)? That is what the Salish Sea Transition Hub, of which Port Townsend is a member, is working on: more consumer and farmer collaboration so both get what they need.

The Eat Local! Campaign runs now through September, encouraging locals to learn more about the local farmers.

The campaign suggests actions that will help us all learn more about our local food system and how to use it. Join us in our three-month plan that promotes the kind of consuming that helps us eat healthy and encourages us to learn how to eat seasonally and to preserve local foods for use in the winter.

• For the remainder of July, spend some time locating our regional farms, farm stands, and farmers markets. For guidance, go to the Eat Local First website. Search the farm-finding map (eatlocalfirst.org) or go to the Local 20/20 website and click on the Local Food icon (l2020.org). If you have an EBT card (food stamps) you can purchase food stamp tokens with your EBT card (at the Information Booth) and receive an equal number of coupons for vegetables and fruit at no cost.

• In August, share your culinary creations made from local foods with family and friends. (To receive a free PDF of a cookbook of recipes using local foods, e-mail: sustainablelifelearningcenter@yahoo.com.)

• In September, focus on preserving local foods for use this winter.

For more information, contact sustainablelifelearningcenter@yahoo.com.

Suzanne Jones
PORT TOWNSEND