Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Val's Challenge

I've been following up Val, the impressive illustrator from The Illustrated Garden, on the crazy but great challenge she got into: an entire month pledged to consuming only foods grown and produced within 200 miles of her front door!

At first sight, it seems very easy, after all, 200 miles are a large ratio. But and when you find out that not all the farmers and groceries around you don't choose growing/buying locally at a large range of products as well? I've been following it up like a soap opera, waiting for the next chapter, because I put myself in her place, and boy, I really don't know how much I would be able to do to "survive" at this strict diet. I had to laugh at her post two days ago on her raving over a simple tasty apple that she will have to wait some 25 days to eat again. While it's hard, I believe this is a truly valid challenge. It's an opportunity to the local producers to re-evaluate their concepts, and to grow a larger variety of edibles, bringing the benefits of fresher products and decreasing the product's traveling's oil waste.

So think about it. In the event of joining this challenge, what would you be allowed to eat? What would you do to keep it up the whole month?

4 comentários:

Tori said...

I don't think I could do that! I have heard of this challenge before, and I've always wanted to join. I don't buy the groceries though. Plus I'm not sure I could survive a month without chocolate, which is probably not made 200 miles from my door. xD

It would be a wonderful challenge for me to try sometime later in life when I have more control over the food I eat.

Suzie Ridler said...

I always think eating local is a good idea but not always realistic. Especially if you don't grow your own food. Some places it's downright impossible. I think it's important to be aware of where our food comes from and to support local farmers as much as possible, but we also have to be realistic. I have two grocery stores here to choose from and no driver's license. My options are also very limited.

KrisMrsBBradley said...

I've heard of similar challenges, and we try to buy "local" as much as possible, along with growing a lot in our garden.

I could not, however, go without the occasional Ban & Jerry's Cherry Garcia!

This Guy said...

You'd really think that it would be easy to eat within 200miles of your front door, I've tried this too, its SO difficult. I try to eat as locally as possible, I live in the Green Belt of Ontario, in the summer and fall everything is fresh and local here, but it gets more difficult in the winter!

I do have a "thing" for icecream, and I am lucky, we have a local organic dairy just down the street! heheh