September is Eat Local Month across Washington State, and Whatcom County is one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to fully embrace it. From a sprawling farm tour to year-round farmers markets and a Farm to Table trail network, there are more ways than ever this fall to connect your plate directly to the land that surrounds Bellingham and its neighboring communities.
The initiative, recognized statewide each September, encourages residents to make deliberate choices about where their food comes from. In Whatcom County, that choice is rarely difficult. The county is home to some of the most productive farmland in Washington, including berry fields, dairy operations, vegetable farms, orchards, and small-scale specialty producers who sell directly to the public at markets across the region.
The 19th Annual Whatcom County Farm Tour
One of the signature events of Eat Local Month locally is the Whatcom County Farm Tour, now in its 19th year. Organized by Sustainable Connections, the tour takes place on Saturday, September 12, and offers the public a chance to visit 13 working farms across the county. Admission is typically free or low-cost, and the event is self-guided, meaning participants can choose which farms to visit and set their own pace throughout the day.
Past farm tours have included stops at berry farms in Lynden and Everson, vegetable operations near Ferndale, and specialty producers in the foothills east of Bellingham. Each year the participating farms vary, giving returning visitors something new to discover alongside familiar favorites. The 19th edition is expected to draw hundreds of families, food enthusiasts, and community members interested in understanding where the food on their tables originates.
Sustainable Connections has been one of the driving forces behind Whatcom County's local food economy for more than two decades, supporting farmers, food businesses, and consumers through education, networking, and events like the farm tour. Their work is part of a broader effort to keep agriculture economically viable in a county where development pressure has grown steadily alongside population increases.
Markets, Trails, and More
Beyond the Farm Tour, Eat Local Month offers ongoing opportunities to shop local throughout September. Whatcom County hosts markets in multiple communities, including the longstanding Bellingham Farmers Market at Depot Market Square, which runs on Saturdays through the fall season. The market features over 100 vendors selling produce, meat, seafood, baked goods, and prepared foods from regional farms and small businesses.
Other markets operate in communities across the county, including Lynden, Ferndale, and Blaine, offering residents options close to home rather than requiring a trip to Bellingham. Checking in with Sustainable Connections or the Bellingham Experience website can help you find market schedules and locations near you.
The Farm to Table Trail program is another standout feature of Eat Local Month. Participants follow a trail of local farms, restaurants, and food businesses that are committed to using regional ingredients. As you visit and make purchases at participating stops, you earn points that can be redeemed for prizes. It is a playful way to gamify local eating while directly supporting Whatcom County's agricultural economy.
More information on the Farm to Table Trail, the Farm Tour, and all things Eat Local Month can be found through the Bellingham Experience agricultural guide, which includes links, schedules, and a map of participating locations across the county.
Why Local Food Matters Here
Whatcom County's agricultural sector is not just a picturesque backdrop. It is a significant economic engine and ecological resource. The county ranks among Washington's top agricultural producers, with particular strength in raspberries, blueberries, and dairy. Keeping local farms economically viable requires a local customer base willing to pay fair prices for fresh, sustainably grown food.
When residents choose to buy directly from farms or at farmers markets, more of that money stays in the local economy compared to purchasing food that has traveled hundreds or thousands of miles through a national supply chain. It also keeps agricultural land in production rather than sitting fallow or being sold for development.
September's timing is particularly well-suited to celebrating local food. The harvest season is in full swing, with late-summer vegetables, stone fruits, and early fall crops coming off the fields simultaneously. Farm stands across the county will be stocked, and the weather typically cooperates for outdoor events and self-guided tours.
Whether you visit one farm on September 12 or commit to shopping locally every week through the month, Eat Local Month is an invitation to look around at the remarkable agricultural landscape that makes Whatcom County one of the most food-rich corners of Washington. Start planning now so you do not miss the Farm Tour on September 12.
