www.eatlocalchallenge.com

Eat Local Frederick

By Sarah Irani

Last year I decided to promote the Eat Local Challenge in my hometown, Frederick, Maryland. We already boast several farmers markets, a wonderful food co-op, and a rich agricultural heritage. We had a few poorly attended events last summer. For example, there were only four of us at the potluck, but the kale soup was delicious and the church gave us the leftover homemade Communion bread to break and share. 

This year, things are a little more exciting. A friend of mine has produced an award-winning documentary entitled, Organic Frederick. She's taking the film on the road and I'm along for the ride promoting the Eat Local Frederick campaign!

The Threat is Real

by Sarah Irani

Spinach, tomatoes, and now green onions?

Americans are looking to more regulation to keep our food supply safe rather than admit that industrial agriculture is very deeply flawed.  According to this article from the Washington Post, "The patchwork of federal and state regulations that is supposed to ensure food safety has become less effective as the nation's produce supply has grown increasingly industrial [emphasis added]. Three months after the spinach scare, there is no agreement on what should be done to reduce health risks from the nation's fruits and vegetables even as each episode of illness has heightened a sense of urgency." 

I'll offer a few suggestions: Gradually break apart the industrial agriculture system and return the farmland to small, sustainable family farms. Support your local farmer. Offer farmers living wages. Down with big box food chains. Stop with the shoving of grain down the throats of ruminants.

There, at least we have a place to start.

That Time of Year

by Sarah Irani

It is the time of year again when Americans start dreaming of turkeys and stuffing, but too many of us have no idea where our food even comes from. Well, things are changing and this is a great time of year to start! Let this be a seaon of gratitude for the people who work hard everyday to grow and raise the abundance of food we enjoy in this land. As for me and my family, we are going to thank them in person when we head over to the farmers market this weekend.

In fact, the Washington Post has done a fantastic article in this week's Food Section, featuring the Locavores, the Eat Local Challenge, the 100-Mile Diet and the folks enjoying the local harvest in Frederick, Maryland.  The Post has given the readers in the Metro DC area a wonderful guide to area farmers markets, co-ops and small farms where people can get their turkeys, vegetables, pies, and all the fixen's for a truly wonderful, truly local holiday.

Celebrating the Harvest

by Sarah Irani

Tomorrow I am hosting an Eat Local Challenge Potluck Feast. The church, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Frederick, Maryland, where I met and married my husband has offered the community room as a location for our harvest feast. I have sent out e-mails, passed out flyers, posted info on the web and hung a poster at our local co-op. The response has not been huge, but a dozen or so folks is plenty for a feast.

I found inspiration from the Californian Locavores and their Full Moon Feasts. Unlike the Full Moon Feast, however, I have envisioned a potluck where everyone can contribute food. I want to keep the costs low so that we can include everyone! I am only asking for donations to the church in gratitude for permitting us to use the space. If a guest is financially strained, he or she will not be turned away, but offered a second helping! I want to encourage a multi-generational feast where we can see the elderly, children, teens and everyone in between all in one place. That doesn't happen much around here any more.

In the News

By Sarah Irani

Last week I sat down to lunch with Gazette reporter, Katherine Mullen, at the same great local venue where Erik and I listened to local musicians, Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels, a few days beforehand. She and I talked about local agrictulture, local dining establishments, agrarianism, culture, and the Eat Local Challenge- Frederick. She wrote a wonderful article about our conversation:

Artist wants residents to dine on foods from nearby farms

by Katherine Mullen for the Frederick Gazette
Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006

With the abundance of farm markets and produce in Frederick County, Sarah Irani wants residents to think about what they’re serving for dinner and to start eating more locally grown foods...

Eat Local Challenge- Frederick

By Sarah Irani

The Eat Local Challenge has spread to Frederick, Maryland! September is our challenge month. First, we'll launch the challenge with an event at the Common Market on August 30, at 6:30pm. The event will feature a discussion on the importance of eating locally, the far-reaching impact of our individual food choices and an introduction to the September Challenge. The Common Market will provide some delicious snacks grown right here in our foodshed.The purpose of this gathering is twofold. First we want to raise awareness of the shortcomings of the industrial agricultural model and bring together resources for local eating and sustainable agriculture here in Frederick County. Secondly, this will be a great chance to meet other locavores in the area.

At the end of September we'll host an Eat Local picnic potluck and share our new food adventures.

Check out our website: Eat Local Challenge- Frederick!

Sarah is a sculptor living in Maryland. She is a member of the Summer Creek Farm CSA and the Common Market Co-op.

Harvesting Herbs

By Sarah Irani

We have a rosemary bush planted beneath the dryer vent. The warm, carbon-dioxide filled air keeps it green and growing all year. What started as a little seedling has grown to gigantic proportions. It has been encroaching upon our front door, so I decided to harvest it. It is impossible for one to eat this much rosemary. So, I dried it and in the coffee grinder turned it into a rich, green powder that I can use to season poultry and give away to culinary-minded foodie friends.   

I have also begun harvesting the lemon balm and mint that is growing out of control!  I hung an old hat-rack up in the kitchen to act as an herb-drying rack. It is working out nicely! When mixed with chamomile, catnip and a dollop of honey this herb combination makes a lovely tea.

Hunters and Gatherers

By Sarah Irani

I was reluctant to participate in the 2006 Eat Local Challenge because I knew that I would be out-of-town for a week during May. But, instead of dropping the Challenge, I took it on the road!

My husband and I took the train from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia fourteen hours to Waterloo, Indiana where my father was waiting for us. We drove an hour or so north to the place I used to call home. I told my rather agrarian family about the Eat Local Challenge and they did not completely understand because they live in a farming community where they raise their own chickens and turkeys, hunt for other meats, grow herbs and my favorite of all: they hunt for morels during the spring. Challenge? What Challenge? This is a way of life!

Taking Advice

by Sarah Irani

Taking advice from the Eat Local Challenge tip guide, my husband and I went on a field trip. Every Friday we have a standing date. Usually we go to Clay Oven, the best Indian place in Frederick. Since the weather has been so nice, my hubby suggested a new idea: the Friday Wine Down at Elk Run Vineyards. They have a few tables set up, a musician, wine, local cheeses and bread. We bought a bottle of the Maryland Chardonnay which was spectacular- my new favorite perhaps. Then, we cuddled under a blanket, listened to live, local music and watched the sunset over the vineyard. The grape leaves are just starting to flourish and the moon was just a sliver, but we could see the outline of the rest of the heavenly body. It was truly a wonderful evening!

Sarah is a sculptor living in Maryland. She is a member of the Summer Creek Farm CSA and the Common Market Co-op.

The 80/20 Rule

by Sarah Irani

Being a hard-core perfectionist, I have had to impose the 80/20 rule into my life. I think that it can very easily be integrated into our thoughts about eating locally. Many people seem defensive about drinking Colombian coffee and African chocolate, but needn't worry. I figure, if we all eat 80% locally then the remaining 20% can be coffee, chocolate, wine, spices, etc. As more and more people implement local eating into their daily lives at the 80/20 rule we will still see a drastic change in agriculture and public health!

This helps us to integrate a little bit of grace into our lives and as human experience tells us- we can all use a little more grace.