You are invited to lunch between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the St. Mary’s College of Maryland dining hall where all the food will come from local sources, with most coming from St. Mary’s County. The college and Bon Appetit Management Company are participating in the nationwide Eat Local Challenge to educate students and the community about the benefits of eating local.

Dishes include Southern Maryland’s best, says Executive Chef Jay Yamaguchi, such as steamed blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay, classic oyster stew, and apple-honey braised pork with mashed sweet potatoes and chunky apple sauce from local purveyors, such as Brian Hite, Bucklers Farm, and Sivak Produce. Lunch is $11.80 for the public. For information, contact Debi Wright, Bon Appetit general manager, at 240-895-3963.

St. Mary's College of Maryland, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. More than 2,000 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary's River in Southern Maryland.