Here in Canada, the concept of the 100 Mile Diet is strongly promoted, throughout the country. It is promoted in conjunction with out Local Farmer's Markets, which are everywhere all over the country. So what exactly is the 100 mile diet? This post will present this challenge to you, as many of your markets are in full swing by now with garden's full in bloom.
The concept explained: Getting everything you eat from farms and gardens close to you is the goal of the 100-mile diet. Now you might think that this is next to impossible but it is actually easier than you think. The only rule with the 100-mile diet: the food that is placed on your plate has to be grown within 100 miles of your house. So local Dairies, and Farms are a good start.
Here are some tips on how and where to find Locally grown meat, dairy and vegetables.
Farmer's Markets in the summer months. Here is a good place to get your fresh produce, but also the canned goods, to use over the winter months. This is also a great place to learn about the local farmers in your area.
The Mennonites/Amish Communities -Research your area to determine if there is an established community in your region. They are always a great resource for all kinds of stuff, such as Maple Syrup, honey and beef and dairy cows.
Shop at your local independent grocery store. Typically, like ours, they sell local meats and produce so as to avoid shipping and most of the farmers deliver to the store so no hassle for the store owner to run around.
Christmas and Thanksgiving craft fairs or bizzares- this is a great place to find preserves and dried foods that you can eat all winter.
One of the best places to find out where your local dairy and meat farmers are is to visit your local feed store like TSC and ask some of the workers.
Now it is a huge transition to a 100 mile diet especially here in Canada as we just simply cannot grow all the kinds of food that many other countries can so, we would have to change our choices to support our local diet. This forces our creative hand. At our local markets they would typically sell cook books from our locals with ton's of recipes that use what is grown in our area. Cook books are a great fundraiser and can be found with the local fire department fundraising options.
Here is a list of what we have in our 100 mile radius that I can use to create several meals.
Cheese
Milk
eggs
Beef
Pork
Buffalo
Nuts
Fresh Water Fish
All the standard vegetables and Fruits ie. potaotes, beans, broccoli, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, squash, watermelon etc.
Maple Syrup
Honey
Beer & Wine
So folks here is your challenge. Start out small and start with one lunch a week, and as your research of local available food expands try a neighborhood BBQ or Breakfast. Have any of my fellow STEEMIT friends ever tried to eat a meal on a 100 mile diet? Love to hear about your experiences.
Happy Trails
Image Sources
http://www.roosters.market/100-mile-diet/
https://www.lexiconoffood.com/link/living-100-mile-diet-new-york-city
Beer, Bacon, and Buffalo Nuts, what more does a person need? Another comma maybe? How about a 100 acre diet?
I love local food! I might say 50 % already is local, maybe!
Yay good for you, now lets get this movement growing...Thanks
Local food, just can't get better this is a great challenge. I've been trying to eat and promote local produce here on steemit and in my own community. Thank you for sharing. :-)
This is awesome! In Hungary I knew some people promoting something similar: the 50 km diet. :-) I'm not being sarcastic here. It makes sense though, with Canada's size and population density.
I knew this concept was world wide. David Suzuki did a piece about it encouraging businesses to host 100 mile diet Lunches.
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