Peninsula Businesses and Farms Embrace Statewide Eat Local Campaign
Published: 4:30 PM, Tuesday, September 1, 2026
By Emily Hanson, Olympic Peninsula News Group
Numerous businesses across the North Olympic Peninsula are taking part in Eat Local Month, a statewide initiative promoting the consumption of locally produced food.
Tuesday marked the beginning of the fourth year of this campaign, which involves 196 farms, restaurants, and businesses across Clallam and Jefferson counties offering local food options.
“The main aim of Eat Local Month is to provide a resource for people seeking local food, both in their communities and while traveling,” said program director Maressa Valliant. “I often use these resources while traveling for my kid’s soccer games, looking for farm stands or farmers markets. Our goal is to enhance awareness of local food sources.”
You can find participating locations in Clallam and Jefferson counties on Eat Local First’s website: Eat Local Map.
Originally launched in Whatcom and Skagit counties 16 years ago, the initiative has seen Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap counties involved since its inception, even before it became a statewide effort.
A new feature this year is the “Get a Taste of Washington State” campaign, which highlights businesses earning an Eat Local First window decal by sourcing from at least two local producers within Washington.
For restaurants, this entails menus focused on Washington-grown produce, meat, dairy, and seafood. Retailers are encouraged to stock products from local farms, ranches, and food makers.
“The decal serves as a trustworthy signal for those looking to support the state’s food economy,” Valliant noted.
Eating locally is vital for supporting independent businesses and fostering community connections, especially in light of recent food-borne illness outbreaks in the U.S.
Valliant mentioned the recent cyclospora outbreak that affected 61 people in Washington, with connections to contaminated lettuce from other states. “Washington-grown produce has not been linked to this outbreak, highlighting the benefits of knowing your grower and understanding food production practices,” she explained.
Eat Local Month, which received formal support from a proclamation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on July 22, features prize giveaways as part of an engagement campaign aimed at encouraging community participation.
The grand prize includes an overnight stay at the SOMM Hotel in Woodinville, complete with a $150 dining voucher for farm-to-table restaurants, alongside a gift card for local businesses.
“Smaller prizes like shopping bags and branded camping sporks will also be up for grabs,” Valliant added. The giveaway will launch on the campaign’s website on Tuesday: Eat Local Month.
Many participating farms are offering tours to visitors, too. “This is an excellent time of year to visit farms and gain a transformative experience,” Valliant said.
For more information about farmstands, markets, and locally sourced restaurants in the Olympic Peninsula, visit Eat Local First Peninsula Page.
