Local food, sustainability to take center stage at King County’s ‘CHOMP!,’ Sept. 12-13

Get ready to sink your teeth into CHOMP! -- King County’s first local food and sustainable living festival, set for Sept. 12-13 at King County’s Marymoor Park near Redmond.

Get ready to sink your teeth into CHOMP! — King County’s first local food and sustainable living festival, set for Sept. 12-13 at King County’s Marymoor Park near Redmond.

“CHOMP! celebrates two things that people in King County are known for: enjoying delicious, locally sourced food and drink, and caring for the natural environment,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The festival will bring together the people of King County – urban and rural, young and old –  to support local farming and strengthen the farm-to-table connection.”

Beginning with a ticketed farm-to-table dinner on Sept. 12 and followed by a full day of free programming on Sept. 13, CHOMP! will engage attendees with interactive programs and music.

Attendees of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities and demonstrations from local farmers and sustainable businesses, taste local sustainable cuisine and live music and entertainment throughout the day. CHOMP! will also feature a selection of local craft beer and wine.

King County has selected Artist Home to manage the programming and operations of CHOMP!

“Forming this partnership with Artist Home will help the County create a one of a kind experience for everyone to come together to learn and celebrate local crops, green living and the diverse cultures of our County ,” said Kevin Brown, King County Parks Director.

“We are proud to work with the County to produce CHOMP!” said Phil O’Sullivan, General Manager of Artist Home. “The event will explore the intersection between rural and urban communities and showcase sustainable living practices that can improve the future of our region.”

Executive Constantine said CHOMP! also supports his Local Food Initiative by celebrating local farmers, chefs and restaurants using locally-sourced food, and local organizations specializing in healthy food, sustainability, and social justice. The festival is among Executive Constantine’s Top 20 priority actions over the next two years to help strengthen the local food economy and improve access to healthy, affordable food in underserved communities.

Artist Home produces such events as the successful Timber! Outdoor Music Festival at King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park in Carnation, Timbrrr! Winter Festival in Leavenworth, and the Fretboard Summit in California.  Artist Home is known for integrating unique natural settings into the event experience, and uniting music, community and nature.

King County’s Marymoor Park is a regional landmark that features the beautiful Willowmoor Farm historical district and Clise Mansion. The park’s natural and scenic environment makes a perfect home for CHOMP!. Plus, it’s only a 30-minute trip from downtown Seattle to enjoy this unique event and music experience.

More details about CHOMP! will be coming soon. You can check out the website at www.chomplocal.org to sign up for e-mail updates, or follow updates via the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chomp/1450729095218364?fref=ts.

To learn more about King County’s Local Food Initiative, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/local-food