Over the past three years, the Eat Local Project has been hard at work!

Despite a vibrant local foods movement in Placer and Nevada Counties, only 2% of residents buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. Funded in part by a California Department of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant, The Eat Local Placer & Nevada Project was created in 2012 to encourage local residents to eat more fruits and vegetables, to buy more from local producers, and to get to know the farmers in Placer and Nevada Counties. Through innovative social marketing, strategic partnerships, social media, and a vibrant presence in the farmers' market community, the Eat Local Project has done much to raise awareness of our local food economy and the importance and joy of eating fruits and vegetables.

 Since its inception in November 2012, the Eat Local Placer and Nevada Project has

• Reached 25,887 consumers through our programs and event tasting booth
• Participated in 157 events
• Distributed 21,056 samples of locally grown produce
• Developed 35 delicious recipes
• Handed out over 40,000 of our beautiful recipe cards
• Translated 4 recipe cards into Spanish
• Purchased $17,757.72 of produce directly from local farmers
• Provided $9,364.03 of locally grown produce to local area food banks
• Trained 51 volunteers and accrued 286 in volunteer hours
• Dined over 400 people at 4 community dinners
• Reached thousands through our social media outlets: Facebook, Pinterest, the Eat Local Placer and Nevada website and blog

 Some impacts we've measured:

• Consumers have purchased $22,110 of produce at farmers markets using vouchers provided by the project.
• 60% of survey participants purchased the featured fruit or vegetable featured at an Eat Local farmers' market tasting.
• 65% purchased new and different fruits and vegetables after attending an Eat Local event.
• 36% purchased more local produce!
• 87% agree that Eat Local recipe cards make it easier to cook and eat locally grown fruits and vegetables.
• The Eat Local project increased produce sales for local farmers by $49,232 through produce purchases and farmers' market vouchers.

Looking to the future...

Thank you for your part in making the local food movement in Placer and Nevada successful! We encourage you to continue your support for our local growers- do your weekly shopping at the farmers' markets and visit the restaurants and grocery stores that purchase from local growers. Our Eat Local website, Facebook page, and Pinterest page will remain as resources for eating locally here in the foothills.

 We have reapplied for funding and hope to be continuing the work of the Eat Local Project in the fall. Until then, enjoy the delicious harvests of Placer and Nevada counties!