When early settlers gathered 'round their Thanksgiving tables, they weren't eating green beans from Mexico and apples from New Zealand. They were celebrating the local harvest. But modern feasts often feature foods that have traveled farther than our guests. 

Why not show gratitude with a greener Thanksgiving? Local non-profit Puget Sound Fresh is collecting pledges from residents who will serve at least one local dish at their Thanksgiving meal. As of today, the site has more than 2,100 pledges, enough to possibly prevent more than 4,700 lbs of CO2 emissions.

King County predicts that if half of all county residents ate a local Thanksgiving dinner, we could avoid emissions equal to 2.4 million vehicle miles!

Menu switching for this major feast may seem intimidating--especially since local turkeys can be hard to find. But Puget Sound Fresh makes things easier with a guide to cold-season farmers markets, a list of seasonal fresh items, and plenty of recipes. You can also visit the Ask a Chef booth at the University District farmer's market every Saturday through December 8 for free advice on cooking local goods.

"We thought it'd be an excellent opportunity to highlight the variety of local foods that are produced this season," says Karen Kinney, agriculture marketing specialist for King County. "We also want people to realize that their food choices have a big impact on the environment, the local economy, and our local farmers."

Make your pledge on the Puget Sound Fresh website. Here at A Fresh Squeeze, we're planning to serve salmon in lieu of turkey, along with a spicy dish made with local cauliflower, potatoes and onions. We'd love to hear what you're serving! Send us your favorite recipes featuring in-season ingredients, and we'll post them on our website!