Recycla recently read Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon and recommends this book to her fellow Eco Warriors.
During a meal foraged from the land around their rustic cabin in British Columbia, the authors decide to spend a year eating only foods that come from within 100 miles of wherever they are. For most of the year, that is their Vancouver apartment, although their work does take them to other places along the way.
The authors discover that some foods were easy to find (fresh produce, dairy products), whereas others (such as wheat) presented a challenge that they spent months resolving.
Along the way, the authors learn more about their local food systems, both modern and historic, as well as develop a network of resources to feed themselves. They go to the farmers’ market, visit new farms, and even forage in unusual places. They learn how to can and freeze, as well as make their own cheese.
This project was very similar to the one described by Barbara Kingsolver in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, although the choices made along the way in the two experiments differ.
For more information about the authors’ project and the 100 mile diet, go to their website.
Tell the Eco Women: Have you ever considered switching to a diet that is solely local? Why or why not?
I really enjoyed Animal, Vegetable, Mineral. I’m moving toward more and more local foods. Total locavore philosophy isn’t realistic for my family, but we’re moving in that direction. In fact, it’s time to put the computer down and get to work blanching beans to freeze!
No. Because chocolate and coffee don’t grow in Wisconsin.