Eat Local Challenge

Ready to Go Local?

Inspiration is everywhere. Join EatLocalSWMich Yahoo Group. Pick up the book "Plenty," a.k.a. The 100-Mile Diet, by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon or "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver or "From Asparagus to Zucchini," originally created in 1996 by the Madison Area CSA Coalition. Fact: Michigan is second only to California in the variety of foods we grow. The more you seek, the more you'll find.

It's Your Challenge

Design your own Eat Local Challenge - starting now. Commit to spending a certain amount of money or percentage of your food expenses on local foods for one month. Look in your fridge and cupboards and see what can be replaced with local items. Create an entire meal using local foods. Pick one or two things to source locally. Once that first month is up, keep on going local!

The Where of Local Foods

Find stores and restaurants that sell and serve local foods - ask (and encourage) your favorites to buy from local farmers and producers. Visit a farmers' market - ask the vendors, "What's local?" - and try seasonal produce that you've never eaten before. Go to localharvest.com to find a local CSA or farm stand. Or plant your own garden.