Going Local

Use your food and economic choices to make our community more sustainable. 50% of CO2 emissions in the entire U.S. are due to the provision of food and goods, and 20% of these emissions are due to transportation (not including driving to the store or storing food in your refrigerator).

Local Currency
North Olympic Exchange facilitates an internet-based exchange of goods and services through the medium of time dollars. This system encourages innovation and entrepreneurship based on individual skills and energy.

Local Investing Opportunities Network
LION creates opportunities for local individuals and businesses to connect with local investors to build prosperous local businesses, keep investing money in our community, and help build a stronger and more sustainable economy in Jefferson County.

Local Economic Development
WSU TEAM JEFFERSON offers programs for business planning and development to energize entrepreneurs. Visit their office in Port Hadlock. Sponsor your own community reinvestment program where each dollar spent supports local workers and gets recycled 6-15 times before leaving the community.

Small Business Development Center – WSU
Washington SBDC’s promote economic vitality by providing advice, training and research to entrepreneurs and existing businesses statewide. The local office in Port Townsend offers a host of services designed to help you grow your business, achieve higher profits, and improve operations.

Food Choices 

The most carbon-intensive aspects of our current food system are 1. Processing and packaging food
2. Use of fossil-fuel-based fertilizers and pesticides
3. 80% of farmland in U.S is used to raise animals (grain feeds 10 times more people)
4. Release of greenhouse gases (esp. methane) from cattle

Food Resiliency
Learn about local community gardens and how to join one; backyard gardening and planting a row for the Food Bank; as well as gleaning fruits and berries. Take a class in composting.

Food and Farm Blog
A wealth of information from WSU’s Jefferson County Extension on sustainable agriculture, food preservation, organic farming methods, seed production, small farm classes. Participate in their Master Gardener Training, Plant Clinics, and farm and garden tours. 

Support for Local Gardeners
Northwest-gardening.com offers free tips on organic gardening, soil, and growing all kinds of vegetables (complete with "from seed to harvest" photos) – tailored to the Pacific Northwest climate.  

Food Coop
Features seasonal food from local growers. Specializes in organically-produced food. Offers in-store classes and informative newsletter.

Port Townsend Farmers Markets
Find local vegetables, fruit, bread, cheese, eggs, salmon, and poultry at the Saturday (May-Nov) and Wednesday (Jun –Sep) Farmers Markets.