Promotion encourages residents to "eat local"

ANNA WALTERS

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For three years, a local nonprofit has dedicated an entire week in September to making it easier for folks in Whatcom County to eat locally grown and produced food.

This year, Sustainable Connections is offering more than its usual fare during Eat Local Week. New this year are film screenings, a cooking class and farm tours.

"I hope it will make people think more about where their food comes from and give us practice in eating as close to 100 percent local as possible," said Shonie Schlotzhauer, Sustainable Connections food & farming program manager.

For more information, and for a list of participants, go online to sconnect.org.

Planned events include:

"Chef in the Market" booth will feature cooking demonstrations by Jessica and Mataio Gillis of Ciaò Thyme Catering, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Bellingham Farmers Market. On Sept. 13, local chef, cookbook author and columnist Mary Ellen Carter will staff the booth. Free.
Movie screenings, beginning with a short film, "Fair Trade: The Story," with commentary by Rosalinda Guillen, executive director of Community to Community Development, and documentary, "Good Food: Sustainable Food & Farming in the Pacific Northwest." A panel discussion with filmmakers and subjects will follow. From 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Boundary Bay Brewery beer garden: Cost: $6, does not include all-local barbecue.
Free film screening of "Broken Limbs: Apples, Agriculture and the New American Farmer," which chronicles the breakdown of thousands of Washington state orchardists and the rise of a new kind of farmer. From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, Bellingham Farmers Market:
Traditional Greek cooking class, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Community Food Co-op's Connections building. Donation of $10 to $20 suggested. Space is limited, register by calling Dandelion Organic Delivery, (360) 933-1130. Participants should park off-site, walk or bike.
Public farm tour, with eight stops, including Boxx Berry Farm and Lone Boot Buffalo Ranch, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13. Activities will include cider pressing, cheese making and berry picking.
An organized bicycle ride will depart the Bellingham Public Market, 1530 Cornwall Ave., at 9 a.m.; for a shorter route, bikers will leave the Ferndale Farmers Market at 11 a.m.
A Bellair charter bus will take passengers to three Whatcom County farms on the tour for $8. To reserve a spot on the bus, call (360) 380-8800. A map for a self-guided tour is available at sconnect.org.
A $7 donation is suggested for those who tour by bike, or $10 for a car load.
Eighth annual Harvest Dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 at Depot Market Square. Appetizers are served at 4 p.m., dinner is at 5 p.m. Cost: $45. Tickets can be purchased at www.sustainableconnections.org by clicking on the "Harvest Dinner" link.