Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2026 Eat Local Challenge! Thanks to your enthusiasm and commitment, this was our largest challenge yet, with more than 1,500 people joining us throughout July to celebrate local food and strengthen our regional food system.

Missed this year’s challenge? Register below to be notified when the 2027 Eat Local Challenge returns next July.

Already participated? Great news—you’ve already been automatically enrolled for next year’s challenge. There’s no need to register again. We’ll be in touch as we get closer to July 2027.

What is the Eat Local Challenge?

Each July, the Marion Institute’s 21-Day Eat Local Challenge invites participants to discover practical ways to eat healthier while supporting local farms, fisheries, and food businesses. Through simple daily actions, you’ll learn more about where your food comes from, strengthen your connection to our regional food system, and build lasting healthy habits.

The challenge is simple. For 21 days in July, you’ll be encouraged to source, cook with, and enjoy foods grown, caught, or made within 200 miles. You can tailor the experience to fit your lifestyle, making small, meaningful changes to how you shop, cook, and eat. It’s designed to be approachable, educational, and inspiring—no need to overcomplicate it.

Once registered, you’ll receive one email each day for 21 days featuring:

• Practical tips for sourcing and storing local food
• Food facts and nutrition insights
• Seasonal recipes
• Fun daily challenges and activities
• Stories from local farmers, fishermen, and food producers
• Resources to help you support your local food system year-round

Each day’s email builds on the last, helping you create lasting habits while deepening your connection to local food—and the people who grow, catch, and produce it.

Join the waitlist for the 2027 Eat Local Challenge below!

12 REASONS WHY EATING LOCAL MATTERS

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

Interested in a 2027 sponsorship and having your company’s logo on every email that goes out to our over 1,000+ registrants? Email christy@marioninstitute.org.