One Local Summer Round #2

OK - I'm starting to realize why it's called the One Local Summer Challenge.  I came close to backing out of this round.  I didn't think I could pull off an all-local meal during such a hectic week.  But spurred on by Stacey's post, I figured I could at least pop into a new produce market in town and a nearby farm, right?

To my delight I found Ontario swiss chard, eggplant and asparagus at the produce market.  Trying to exercise some influence on my food supply, I told the store owner that I was only interested in buying local produce.  To my surprise, he said he was working on setting up arrangements with local farmers and planned to be stocking lots of local produce over the summer season.  Hooray!  This store is right in town and very convenient. 

Next stop, this farm I spotted driving home:

Another surprise - it belonged to a kind older couple who tend an incredible garden and sell their produce all summer long.  Score!  Emboldened by my earlier success, I asked the farmer if he knew of a nearby source for local eggs.  He sure did.  He pointed me to the cooler a few feet away - full of freshly laid eggs for $2/dozen.

Waving goodbye and making my way back up their gravel driveway, I caught myself smiling.  This is what it means to eat local.  It means following your instincts.  Keeping your eyes open.  Supporting the hard work of your own neighbours.  Chatting with the people who grow your food. 

I've yet to find a source of local chicken - my biggest challenge.  No luck with local flour either.  Without flour I can't include any carbs in my meals!  There is a family-owned mill a few hundred kilometres away who will ship - I couldn't decide if ordering individual shipments was the right thing to do.  Any advice? 

For my entry this week, I ended up frying the eggplant using a local egg and breadcrumbs(the breadcrumbs are non-local, but not for lack of trying!).  Served on a bed of  sauteed swiss chard, beet greens & garlic, with steamed carrots & asparagus on the side.  Unfortunately I had no energy left to make a tomato sauce from local tomatoes! 

Thanks for the inspiration, fellow challengers!

***Above menu sign courtesy of RedKid!  Infinity thanks, Jennifer!

Comments

[Susan]

Very inspiring. Black Creek pioneer village sells the best flour I ever baked with. Also, close to Bradford, it looks like there's a crop of wheat. I've always wondered how home ground wheat berries would be different than store boughtflour & I think the Kitchen Aid has an attachment for grinding.

[Natalie]

Good job! I need to step up my effort, but I fear my effort would be somewhat counter-productive, considering all the driving around I'd have to do... ahem, that may be a weak excuse. Oh, the shame.

[Jennifer]

Hey -- you inspired me with the local challenge; I was too late to sign up officially but I'm trying nonetheless. Your eggplant looks incredible! I think you should consider food photography as a sideline....

[Monica]

As for ordering flour, the best thing might be to form a coop with other people. Or there may be one at a local university that you can join. I know that at McGill University students have organized a group to order organic stuff, and I don't think you have to be a student to join.

[Karen *]

There's an organic mill in Tavistock - Oak Manor Farms 519-662-2385 - but I don't know if they are just a mill or are milling their own flour. ie. where the flour itself comes from.

I tried phoning them to ask but they are taking vacation til the end of July.

I accidentally came across them in Zehrs' organic section!

Tavistock - good place for cheeses too!

[Kristen]

What a great adventure you went on. I love your smiling when leaving the farmers. You are so right. And isn't it something to meet the people who actually "made" your food?

[CoMeDy KiNg]

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