Every October for the past four years, motivated foodies decide to "eat local" and forgo exotic pleasures. According to the event's organizers, EatLocalChallenge.com, "The traditional Eat Local Challenge is a basic concept: commit to eating only locally grown foods for a period of thirty days. Declare "exceptions" that you will not be eating locally, and try as hard as you can to have everything else come from your local foodshed. "Local" is traditionally a 150-mile distance from your home, but can really be defined as any area near you. Some locavores choose their county, state, or region."
October is half over, but you can still participate. Eat Local Challenge organizers offer up a few simple waysto incorporate a local angle into your daily routine.
The idea behind the Eat Local Challenge is simple: Get to know your food, get to know your community.
Eating is an intimate act, yet so often we cede control to external factors. We allow convenience, or the whims and foibles of our local supermarket managers, to dictate what we eat.
Why do we cede control of our bodies to others?
Eating is a simple act. It gives pleasure. It sustains our lives.
We no longer live in an agricultural society, so our relationships with our farmers, chefs, and food artisans represent our most direct, and basic, links to our local community, and to our environment.
We can make those relationships count, andcreate positive change within our communities.
Besides, it's fun. Who doesn't like food? Really, it's a win-win situation for all involved.
Want to get really local? Try growing your own winter veggies. Here's some advice from Mountain Hardwear's own Victor Ichioka.
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Comments (2)
Hey, eating local is great. We signed up for a local CSA here in Illinois this year to get our taste buds in line with seasonal foods.
This fall we're going to lay down the works (cardboard, compost, peat moss) to cook so we have a no-till garden in the spring. The 100-mile diet is turning into the 100-foot diet.
We signed up at freedomgardens.org - a suburban homesteading social network site for some support and guidance.
The revolution starts on your plate!
David Sweeney | Pemba Serves
Posted by David Sweeney | October 17, 2008 7:42 AM
Posted on October 17, 2008 07:42
Hi David! Mountain Hardwear partners with a local CSA, and a good percentage of our employees buy weekly veggie boxes through this CSA. It's really nice to get fresh organic veggies delivered directly to work! This fall, I'm growing my own peas (sugar snap and snow), and some other easy cold weather greens like arugula and spinach. I'm ready to try some unusual herbs, or things that are too delicate for long-distance transport. I love that you are trying out the 100-foot diet. Here in SF, the "eat local" meme has really taken off. There's a "victory garden" movement in SF and Oakland, and last night the local news station did a story on buying meat directly from small farmers. We can all take part in the revolution!
cynthia
Posted by Cynthia
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October 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Posted on October 17, 2008 11:00