The annual Eat Local Challenge is still more than a month away, but organizers have been busy planning this year’s event. We have, too.
If you haven’t checked out the Mail Tribune’s Eat Local web page in a while, you’ll find updated information on dates, participating restaurants and other resources. Check back throughout the month for upcoming events listed on our online calendar.
Past features archived on the page highlight some key players in the local food scene and provide the story behind the event. This week’s story in A la Carte kicked off the concept with interviews from “purists” who were planning ahead.
Janelle Wilson said she and partner Robin Williams were aghast that other so-called “purists” attending last year’s celebratory feast at Ashland Food Co-op weren’t purists at all. They still consumed coffee, chocolate and imported spices during the weeklong event!
There must have been other disapproval of such exemptions for “locavores” because THRIVE, the nonprofit group behind the challenge, redefined its standards for this year’s participants. In addition to renaming — and clarifying — each level of participation, THRIVE upped the ante and added a new classification. “Supreme” locavores agree to swear off coffee, chocolate and imported spices.
Me, I could do without chocolate and spices (there’s always garden herbs, and I rarely salt food). But give up coffee? For 10 days? Heresy!
I stated in no uncertain terms last year, that without coffee I wouldn’t be able to prop my eyelids open until about noon to blog about my efforts to eat local. Better you than me, Locavore Supremes.
So I’ll be repeating my efforts this year at the “locavore” level. I think I already know who to solicit to log progress as a “locavore supreme.” If anyone is interested in sharing their experiences as a “taster” or “sampler” with newspaper readers, let me know.
Sign up with THRIVE then shoot me an e-mail or post your pitch to this blog.
