Farm-to-table is certainly not a new concept. But to anyone from the Yakima Valley, it’s not just an idea; it’s a way of life. This fertile land just two hours east of Seattle produces more than 40 commercial crops, which means eating fresh and local is as easy as going to the grocery store. Far from the gloomy, rain-soaked reputation that many people associate with Washington State, the Yakima Valley enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine each year. Combine all that sunshine with fertile, volcanic soil and a high-desert climate, and you have an agricultural paradise that harvests the largest variety of fresh grown produce in the Pacific Northwest.
Eating local has never been easier; U-pick farms and roadside fruit stands dot the landscape, and nearly every community throughout the Valley has at least one farmers’ market, some of which are year-round. Many of the local restaurants and chefs make the most of all this bounty, taking special care to select the freshest ingredients directly from the growers themselves. Culinary experiences range from elegant, beautifully prepared meals made with hand-picked local ingredients, to quick snacks picked up from one of the many Mexican taquerias and food trucks. Whatever your tastes lean toward, the Yakima Valley can provide – and with all that beautiful sunshine, outdoor dining is a must!
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