Another Good Read

Need a little inspiration for local eating? Check out Plenty: One man, one woman and a raucous year of eating locally by Alisa Smith & J. B. Mackinnon (the creators of the 100 mile diet) and prepare to laugh and be amazed. I am shocked by the resources that they found within 100 miles of home. Because of them, I feel hopeful about our quest for local organic flour - it has to be out there - do you have any leads?

Jen just sent me this great article about an Indiana community's 100 mile potluck. We should try it here.

Going to Graber...

We're going blueberry picking with friends at Graber Farms, a local organic farm next Saturday. We'll let you know all about it!

Barr Street Market to open soon!

The Barr Street Market is a farmers market with a great variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, beeswax products, baked goods, organic produce, fresh-cut flowers, live music, a kid craft table, and more! And it's kicking off Saturday, July 12th at 9:00 a.m.-- just in time for Three Rivers Festival. The market will be on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. at the corner of Barr and East Wayne Street.

We can also pick up a Green Guide by Grassroots Green that contains money-saving coupons as well as articles about green living. They cost $15-- a cost that can be partially recouped right at the Barr St. Market (some of the vendors are right there at the market and have coupons in the book). Proceeds benefit Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana, who put on the market each year.

There are even more local food choices available this year-- let's check it out!

Co-op update

OK, Kat has her own blog going now, and will have updates going soon. You can find it here. Check it out if you're interested in joining a food co-op where you'll have one place to go for fresh local produce, eggs, meats, and other products you've ordered.

You will be the pick-up person from time to time as well, but only occasionally-- as opposed to near-constantly (as the person who is not currently producing everything needed for sustainable living in their own backyard might be doing now).

I'm feeling great about a new way to feed our bellies with healthy, fresh, local foods, boost local economy, utilize the possible cost-savings of a co-op, and reduce my carbon footprint by not driving to five places to get the items I want for our family. Way to go, Kat! This project will assist many people in many, many ways.

Think global, eat local!

Kathleen Hickey, TD(DONA), mother of four and a birth doula, is presenting information about thinking globally and eating locally at our local Holisitic Moms Network meeting today. Kat's also the coordinator for a local farm-to-consumer food co-operative. The mission of the co-op is to help connect families with the resources to eat locally. I'm headed to the meeting in order to learn more about how to eat more healthfully, economically, and locally. It's better for our family, for local farmers, and for the environment.

Interested? I'll keep you posted here.

The 'local' debate continues

Author Tom Philpott at grist.org has debunked the "eating locally is worse for the environment than using the supermarket" again and again. And yes, he's done it again.