One of my supreme August pleasures is eating juicy blueberries by the handful. It’s those local blueberries, and the latest installment of The Tyee‘s series on "The 100-mile diet," that are inspiring me to cook an all-local-food dinner party next week.
As we noted here, a British Columbia couple is reporting on their experience eating only food produced within 100 miles of their home for a year. Their summer report doesn’t make it sound too rough: salmon with organic sage butter, fresh fava beans, and sweet gypsy peppers anyone?
The series is a good reminder that eating locally produced food not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but puts the eater more in touch with how food is produced. As one of the writers—J.B. MacKinnon—puts it: “It is easier to make ethical decisions about sustainability and animal husbandry when you can walk onto the farm and see for yourself. Distance is the enemy of awareness.”
Eating locally also supports the economy of local producers that are using organic and sustainable practices.
Since August in the Northwest is the time for enjoying hiking and eating blueberries, MacKinnon uses part three of the series to sing the praises of the flavors, variety, and cuisine within miles of his home. And he suggests (with recipes!) we all try our hand, even if just for one evening, at the 100-mile diet.
