by Expat Chef
One of the things I have loved about the Eat Local Challenge (ELC) is that the more I participate, the easier and better it becomes. It's sustainable, too, as we can each define it and build it to fit the local environment in which we live. Best of all, is what ELC has brought to my life.
I found myself sitting at a lunch dedicated to local foods last week. The event was a stop on the Sustainable Table's Eat Well Guided Tour. The tables were filled with local foodies, activists, and farmers, some of whom produced the very food on our plates. I felt such great joy as we went around the room and each of us, not just our guests, shared our vision and experience of eating local. My heart swelled as I saw the actualization of our shared vision. Living proof that sustainable food systems work and are healthy for all who participate. Were it not for Jen Maiser and ELC, I would not have had this rich and wonderful experience.
For me, the Challenge started small. I went to the farmers market and learned what "in season" meant. I met a few people. It's grown with each year. These days, I still go to the market. We have a CSA. We have local grassfed beef (and soon pastured chickens) in our new freezer. Our milk and eggs are local. I ordered my Thanksgiving turkey from a local farm. And, we just ordered local, organic flours and steel cut oats to bake with as well. We've never had such high quality food with such reasonable prices before.
But, more than the savings, is the experience of it all. The people I have met, sharing the vision of eating local. The farmers who are genuinely pleased at being appreciated, and their contagious passion for naturally-grown foods. Teaching my child about where food comes from and having her already, at age two, standing on a chair in the kitchen helping prepare real food for our table.
It's been a profound experience. It would be a far greater challenge to not have all this in my life. My best wishes to each of you preparing for the September challenge, especially those who are new to it all. What an amazing experience awaits each of you.
