- Vendor in the City Market, River Market, Kansas City, Missouri. Photo courtesy Paul Andrews
I’m in the mood to start an experiment. Other people have done this experiment and they’ve probably done it better and more interestingly than I will do it, but what the heck – I’m going to do it anyway. I will attempt to eat and drink nothing but locally produced food for the next thirty days. There may be some exceptions when attending family dinners, etc., but I will do my best to stick to the “eat local” plan.
You may ask why I am starting this experiment and you might suspect that I am buying into the hype of the “eat local” movement. You would be right, but that’s not entirely why I’m doing this. I already try to buy local when it’s an affordable option for me. I am a loyal customer of Shatto Farms dairy products and my eggs come from my mother’s farm in Farley, Missouri. So why deny myself avacados and pinapples, bananas and oranges, and… I suppose by this experiment’s logic… most condiments? Why would any sane person put themselves through the rigors of self-denial for no particular reason!?
>shrug<
I dunno. Just seems like it would be fun to try to do.
Of course, I still have a fridge full of non-local food that needs to be eaten. I will not be ridiculous and throw it away. The 30 days of “eat local” will begin after the next 7-14 days of “dispose of the experiment inhibitors” and during that time I will only buy local-grown/made foods.
Experiment Parameters
Define local: Within a 300 mile radius of my house.
Center of radius. Photo courtesy Paul Andrews.
Does this “local” term apply to processed foods? Say…. breads, pasta, etc? And if the bread is baked locally, do the flour, eggs, salt – any and all ingredients – have to be locally grown/raised/produced?
I mean… salt? Local salt? Is that possible?
Okay okay – that is a legitimate concern. There will be exceptions to the “local” rule. Cooking oil, salt, and possibly also ingredients used to create the Amish/Menonite baked goods and the local-made pasta will not be questioned. Oh, and coffee. That is non-negotiable. This experiment will not be possible without coffee. I have always bought primarily locally-roasted beans (or from coffee shops that use them) so that is going to have to do.
Peaches at the City Market during the Tomato Festival (hey... you say tomato - I say PEACHES!!!!) Photo courtesy Paul Andrews.
So, how will we know that you are abiding by this “eat local” experiment and not just making up fancy stories?
Well… the best I can do is take pictures of the process and report as I go. This also serves the dual purpose of keeping me in the habit of actually updating my blog. I will include recipes, when I can, alongside the images. This will make the experiment serve the more utilitarian purpose of helping other midwesterners figure out how to survive without exotic foods and store-bought condiments (you know – for when the apocalypse comes or whatever).
I’m really wondering how I will survive without Grey Poupon. I suppose I’ll have to look up a recipe and see what I can do. My resolve is strong!
