With 140 miles of marine shoreline and 100,000 acres of highly productive farmland, Bellingham and Whatcom County are a fresh-food haven stretching deliciously between the Salish Sea and snow-capped Mount Baker.
Farm production in Whatcom County ranks in the top three percent of all counties in the United States. Whatcom County is also the nation’s largest producer of red raspberries. We grow 60 percent of the U.S. crop and are first in the nation for milk production per cow, and first out of 39 Washington counties in overall dairy production.
Eating Local first is a way of life here, and you can find delicious fare from local farms, fisheries, eateries, markets and more with the Eat Local First resources including the Food and Farm Finder.
You can also search for regional farmer's markets, farm stands, and more with the Food and Farm Finder.
Get a feel for our wonderful agricultural events, and then check our event calendar to see what is coming up during your visit!
Every April, the Fairhaven Historic District celebrates its culinary past and present with the Dirty Dan Day Seafood Festival. The event features a celebration of seafood and community founder Dirty Dan Harris. Food and games, live music, fish fillet contest, salmon toss, cupcake eating contest, toy boat building, interactive fish art, 1800’s dress up, cooking demos, chowder cook-off and the world’s only piano race! Located at the Fairhaven Village Green in Belllingham’s Historic Fairhaven District.
The Lynden Farmers Day Parade has been bringing the residents of the Lynden community and surrounding areas together to celebrate Lynden’s agriculture and history for the last 100 years. This is a parade that showcases farm equipment of the past, present and future, along with decorated floats, marching bands, kids and kids-at-heart on bikes, Scout Troops, 4-H Clubs, cars, trucks and sometimes even boats! Who knows what (or who) will show up at the family-oriented, free-to-attend event!
July is National Raspberry Month and at the peak of the summer harvest season Lynden hosts the Northwest Raspberry Festival, filled with delicious family-friendly fun! Savor fresh raspberry sundaes on locally-produced ice cream, listen to live jazz, sidewalk shop and taste in downtown Lynden. Kids activities include inflatable games, face painting, a Rookies 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and Very Berry Storytime at the Lynden Library. Raspberry pancake breakfast at the Lynden Community Center, followed by a 5K fun run/walk, Razz & Shine car show, and wine tasting at Samson Estates located on a working raspberry farm.
Every year, Sustainable Connections organizes the Whatcom County Farm Tour, when a dozen farms around Whatcom County open their doors to the public. The farm tour is a festive day of fresh flavors and local food explorations. See the bounty of Whatcom County on this FREE, family friendly self-guided tour. Enjoy leisure strolls through fields and orchards, exciting interactive activities and the chance to discover the roots of abundant food grown in Northwest Washington. Choose a favorite few stops or be ambitious and hit them all. Held the second Saturday of September.
The first weekend of October thousands venture into the Mt. Baker foothills for the annual Fall Fruit Festival at Cloud Mountain Farm Center in Everson. Taste 200 varieties of common and uncommon apples, pears and table grapes, as well as hand-pressed cider, nuts, rare fruit jellies and sauces. Farm experts teach the names of each variety and advise how to grow them at home. Live music starts toes to tapping as tummies fill with homegrown goodness.
Discover local restaurants, farms, markets, and hot spots for a taste of Whatcom County’s best foodie experiences. These local businesses use the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms, fishers, and makers in Whatcom County. Visit the unique places that put our region on the map all while unlocking discounts, promotions, and prizes, too!
