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Location: Eat Local Challenge
Discussion: How is the challenge going?
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sustindy |
How is the challenge going?
Jun 10 2008, 12:26 PM EDT
I've heard from some people that the first week was difficult. Farmers markets do not have an abundance of produce yet, although that will change in the next few weeks. Are you overwhelmed? On the verge of giving up? Tell us what you need help with. Also tell us your successes. Maybe you've found some things easier than expected.
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Keyword tags:
100 mile diet
eat local
summer 2008
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molepoblano27 |
1. RE: How is the challenge going?
Jun 12 2008, 9:21 PM EDT
Well...the first week was challenging. In my mind I was going to be like Barbara Kingsolver in "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" and that couple from Canada and I wasn't going to buy ANYTHING that wasn't local. I just had to get to a farmers market and get my first CSA shipment and get my garden planted, and I was going to be living the good life, just without any bananas or frozen veggie burgers. Well, I have no idea what is going on with my garden and after the market and the CSA what I have is a bunch of bags of leafy greens, which are very good and nutritious, but it was leaving me quite hungry. So I regrettably went grocery shopping, but tried to cut down on stuff that I might have bought before. I'm not sure, but did sustindy change the rules from 75-100% local to 50% local? For me right now, my best promise is "as much as I can" local, and not necessarily as much as I would like.
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sustindy |
2. RE: How is the challenge going?
Jun 16 2008, 12:02 AM EDT
The first couple of weeks have been challenging. I am signed up for Basic Roots, which usually delivers once a month, although I am happy to say that it is going to twice a month starting this week. I am also signed up for Farm Fresh Delivery, which delivers weekly, but hasn't had a lot of local produce yet. I'm happy to report that this week's produce bin has lots of local produce in it. I have been able to order things like bread, pasta and sauce, and local meats from Farm Fresh Delivery. Let us know what you're finding at the farmers markets.
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Angela26 |
3. The challenge!
Jun 24 2008, 1:28 PM EDT
My partner and I actually had what i would call - a good start. We joined a CSA from my hometown - Homestead Growers out of Sheridan, IN - and it has been wonderful. Not only have we had plenty of leafy greens, but - have had some wonderful oyster and shiitake mushrooms to work with, and a jar of pasta sauce from their start-up: Local Folks Foods. In addition, working with some of the veggies (i.e. kohlrabi and radishes) i've been able to dabble a little bit with some new recipes and concoctions. Better yet, our pledge to eat local has also been coupled with or own personal pledge to "eat healthy" - spurring better prep for our work weeks by premaking salad mixtures for work - and attending Farmer's Markets on our lunch breaks (if you weren't aware, there is a market every tuesday from 11am-1pm at Wishard hospital that is slowly starting up) and stopping at local veg/produce stands on our way home. Our next adventure is to locate more sources of beef and/or poultry. If anyone knows of a family farm and/or butcher close to Indy that specializes in beef (my partner is a steak lover!), please let me know! Any suggestions would help. :)
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sustindy |
4. RE: The challenge!
Jun 24 2008, 7:23 PM EDT
Thanks, Angela26. I didn't know that Wishard was doing a market. Apple Family Farm is in McCordsville and they sell meat. I know Royer Farm sells meat at Zionsville's market on Saturday and Trader's Point Creamery market on Friday's usually has some meat vendors too. Check out the Organic Farming page on this site too. The navigation bar on the left lists several farms.Here's another message I got today from Hyrax24(?) "Well, fruits and vegetables are easy in June--picked 12 quarts of local strawberries and now cherries are ready. I've picked about a quart of currants from my own bushes. Lots of brocolli, peas, onions and greens in the garden. Bought some pastured local chickens and eggs from the Amish and continue to look for a local source for wheat flour. Does anyone know of local sources for grains? My preferred sugar is maple syrup--which is only a few miles away in Ohio, but the price keeps me using mostly fair trade sugar from our local co-op. With the problems of colony collapse among the honey bees, local honey is going to be even scarcer. So I'm probably at about 50% local; and much better on "low-carb" days. Finished Barbara Kingsolver's book; a good read...and like her family, I have no problem eating seasonally, but I'm still enjoying my morning cup of fair trade coffee!" Do you find this valuable? |
BethLadd |
5. RE: The challenge!
Jun 25 2008, 9:32 AM EDT
We are slowly finding more and more sources of local foods. We are part of a milk buying group from a relatively local dairy. We signed up for a Harvest Basket from Cooley Family Farm (Lafayette) and my husband picked strawberries twice at a friend's house and we made lots of jam, pies & crisps and strawberries for the freezer for winter. We blogged about it http://thebiggood.blogspot.com/2008/06/eating-locally-strawberries.html if you want to see pics! Do you find this valuable? |
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sustindy |
6. RE: The challenge!
Jun 26 2008, 3:00 PM EDT
Inspiring! And thanks for the blog link. Great writing and puts local eating into a whole lifestyle of sustainability.
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