Join Sustainable Connections as they Drink Local First to ring in the summer, support local businesses and farms, and celebrate Plastic-Free July. Follow them throughout the summer on social media to find the best beverages Bellingham and Whatcom County have to offer. They are encouraging people to use Think Local First gift cards to purchase drinks or give them as gifts to thirsty friends.
Sustainable Connections is highlighting establishments in Bellingham and Whatcom County that offer refreshing drinks, as well as recipes that feature local ingredients for making cocktails and mocktails at home. When you drink local, you ensure that your dollars are supporting small businesses and families.
“For every $100 spent at a locally owned business or restaurant, at least $68 recirculates and remains in our local economy compared to $43 when it's spent at a national chain. Not to mention, drinking local first is just fun,” confesses Amy Vergillo, Communications Director for Sustainable Connections.
Drinking local is nothing new to Whatcom County, and Sustainable Connections has partnered with Tap Trail to offer a special July map that has locations throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County for locals and visitors to gather stamps. Once participants have at least four stamps, they can head to one of the reward redemption locations and trade their stamps for some Tap Trail and Drink Local First prizes.
Drink Local First is also a chance to contribute to a greener planet through waste reduction efforts. To eliminate packaging, Sustainable Connections has compiled a list of local businesses from the Tap Trail that accept Think Local First gift cards AND offer growler refills. They are also featuring cafés where coffee lovers can grab a cup of coffee to-go using their gift card and refillable mug from home.
For the full Drink Local First experience, they encourage people to head to a local U-Pick farm or farm stand to purchase the freshest ingredients Whatcom County has to offer for those cocktail and mocktail recipes. A Think Local First gift card can be redeemed at many locations in the county for a refreshing beverage after picking produce in the hot summer sun. Check out the full farm map at eatlocalfirst.org to plan your trip.
