A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety. -Aesop
This year, Eat Local Challenge 2008 will take place in October and I've signed up once again. You may recall my first attempt last year and the list of local foods I consumed for a month. Well I stand before you, fork in hand (they don't make chopsticks for left-handed people) willing to do better this year, even hoping that some of you will join me!
When my mouse and I scurried through the web, I found that blogs and websites have increased exponentially on the subject of eating locally in just one short year! Where food is concerned, we've been inundated with the good: "eat your fruits and vegetables and avoid trans-fats", the bad:"obesity in the U.S. is at an all-time high", and the ugly: "beware of E. coli, salmonella, cancer and heart disease". Rather than retreating in fear and denial, many intelligent optimists are stepping forward with their plates and palates and suppliers are eager to meet their demands.
What I really love about the whole Eat Local/Slow Food notion, are the precepts of self-responsibility and sustainability, for the good of all concerned. Even though I made a concentrated effort for just one month last year, my buying habits have changed. I'll choose fresh, local produce at the supermarket before I buy jet-lagged, organic fruits from South America at the health food store. Many organic choices are beginning to show up in our locally owned supermarket too.The movement is fresh and raw right now but soon all of the big box stores (Wal-Mart has started in some areas) will buy and sell more local products. Good!
San Francisco hosted Slow Food Nation 2008 this past weekend and a Washington Post reporter began her article about the event saying, "This is how far some people will go these days to get locally grown food...", a perfect segue.
If you're interested, use this tool to locate your 100 mile radius, generally accepted as your "local" area, start making a list of the meals you usually consume and look for local sources or replacements. Farmers' Markets are a good place to start. Ask the folks in the produce department where you shop. Remember, all it takes are 10-20 such inquiries and they'll be telling their supervisors, "Everybody's asking for local produce!" It's my own word-of-mouth theory. Above all, keep it simple and make it fun. Change will happen, no matter who get's elected.
If you come upon a few barriers or challenges, that's all good too. Chances are others have experienced the same and that's how solutions are sought and found!
When my mouse and I scurried through the web, I found that blogs and websites have increased exponentially on the subject of eating locally in just one short year! Where food is concerned, we've been inundated with the good: "eat your fruits and vegetables and avoid trans-fats", the bad:"obesity in the U.S. is at an all-time high", and the ugly: "beware of E. coli, salmonella, cancer and heart disease". Rather than retreating in fear and denial, many intelligent optimists are stepping forward with their plates and palates and suppliers are eager to meet their demands.
What I really love about the whole Eat Local/Slow Food notion, are the precepts of self-responsibility and sustainability, for the good of all concerned. Even though I made a concentrated effort for just one month last year, my buying habits have changed. I'll choose fresh, local produce at the supermarket before I buy jet-lagged, organic fruits from South America at the health food store. Many organic choices are beginning to show up in our locally owned supermarket too.The movement is fresh and raw right now but soon all of the big box stores (Wal-Mart has started in some areas) will buy and sell more local products. Good!
San Francisco hosted Slow Food Nation 2008 this past weekend and a Washington Post reporter began her article about the event saying, "This is how far some people will go these days to get locally grown food...", a perfect segue.
If you're interested, use this tool to locate your 100 mile radius, generally accepted as your "local" area, start making a list of the meals you usually consume and look for local sources or replacements. Farmers' Markets are a good place to start. Ask the folks in the produce department where you shop. Remember, all it takes are 10-20 such inquiries and they'll be telling their supervisors, "Everybody's asking for local produce!" It's my own word-of-mouth theory. Above all, keep it simple and make it fun. Change will happen, no matter who get's elected.
If you come upon a few barriers or challenges, that's all good too. Chances are others have experienced the same and that's how solutions are sought and found!
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"Adam Smith was wrong!": Clip from A Beautiful Mind (Russell Crowe), YouTube (02:42).
RESOURCES:
Sustainable Table: Buy Local tips.
Local Harvest. Find a CSA (Community Supported Ag) in your area to purchase locally grown foods. Listed for Kona is Adaptations, Inc.
Blue Ocean Institute: Guide to Ocean Friendly Fish.
The Kohala Center's "Island of Hawaii Food System Project" (pdf)
Photo by Elenapaint
