works to connect consumers with sources of locally grown and locally made foods. We advocate eating locally for ecological, social, cultural, and environmental reasons. In addition to the annual Eat Local Challenge, Seacoast Eat Local hosts several winter farmers' markets, co-produces an annual local foods resource guide, and works to gather and share sources of local food via our website.

• Eating locally means more money stays within our community and supports our local economy. Farmer's receive a greater proportion of the price.

• Locally grown food is fresher and more nutritious. Since it doesn't have to be bred for long-distance shipping and rough handling, local produce can fully ripen, making it much more flavorful.

• Eating locally reduces your second-hand consumption of fossil fuels. The average American meal travels an estimated 1500 miles from farm to plate.

• Supporting local agriculture supports responsible land development. When you buy local, you give those with open space - farms and pastures - an economic reason to stay open and undeveloped.

During the Eat Local Challenge, participants eat foods primarily from our local area, generally defined as a 100-mile circle around our homes. Participants define their own personal challenges, deciding how local they will try to be, how often they will eat local meals, and what exemptions they will claim, for example some foodstuffs not able to be grown in New England. The Challenge is considered an intense learning period, the lessons from which can be applied on a somewhat more relaxed scale year-round.

How to participate:

• define your personal challenge

• gather your resources: farmers' market schedule, maps, additional sources of food

• visit locally owned food businesses & let them know you are looking for local food!

• let people know what you are doing and why! Convincing someone else of the importance of eating locally doubles your good work in improving our environment, taking charge of our health, and supporting our community.

• ask local restaurants if they use local foods and if not, why not? Ask your server, What's Local Tonight?

• have fun & enjoy great food!