Signing Up for the 2011 Eat Local Challenge

Yesterday marked the beginning of sign-ups for the 2011 Eat Local Challenge!

I have been waiting to sign up for this year's Challenge for, oh, about a month now.  I'm just a teensy bit excited. (!!!) Why?  I love the Eat Local Challenge because I love local foods, and the Challenge gives me an opportunity to share that enthusiasm with others who feel the same way. Between the Co-op, the array of farmers' markets, my CSA and garden, and the talented green thumbs that so many of my friends possess, we live in a very abundant place. I view the ELC as a chance to really delve into the specific offerings within that abundance, and find new and interesting ways to eat.  It gives me a chance to look around with fresh eyes at the foodstuffs that my community has produced.  The ELC also gives me license to geek out about food even more than I do already.

Over the past couple of weeks I've been mulling over which "level" of the challenge to commit to.  I definitely want to do the full month, as opposed to the two weeks, because it takes me awhile to get into a new groove. But should I be a "Loophole Localvore"?  Should I go all the way and be "Hardcore"?  Or is "Extreme" the right challenge for me?

I looked at my calendar and thought about what life would be like from 05 September through 02 October and considered my current eating/buying patterns. At this point in the year especially, I am pretty close to a "Loophole Localvore" already. For those who haven't had a chance to check out the different levels, a "Loophole Localvore = all of what you eat is either locally grown or locally prepared ). Having a CSA and a wide array of fantastic local bakeries nearby, combined with being able to easily pick up local eggs, cheese and meat at the Co-op, it just kind of works out.  Since the idea of the Eat Local Challenge is to actually challenge myself to go to a new level of locabulouslness (local fabulousness), ruling out the Loophole Level seemed like the best choice.

That left the next two levels: "Extreme" and "Hardcore."  Signing up for the "Extreme" means that everything I eat for that month will be locally grown, with a few exceptions.  To be "Hardcore" I would need to commit to everything being locally grown, except for salt. That's right folks- everything.

As much as I would like to be a "Hardcore Localvore," I have decided to go with "Extreme." I know myself, and there are just a few exceptions that will make me a lot happier while staying true to the spirit of the challenge. And life is just too short to not be happy when you can.

Since I get to have a "few exceptions", I decided to limit myself to 5. 5 exceptions that hold true for the whole month, and no more than that.  After all, it is supposed to challenge me!

Stephanie's Five ELC Exceptions:

1.) Coffee. I love coffee. And we have so many fantastic local roasters, it won't be any problem to stick to a locally produced brew.

2.) Lemons.  They make my water taste good, and add that extra something special to so many recipes.

3.) Olive oil.  Because as much as I love sunflower and pumpkin seed oil, I just need to have the flexibility and affordability of olive oil.

4.) Vinegar.  Can you believe we don't have locally grown vinegar?! It brings me to tears as well. This, like lemons, is an ingredient that adds so much without being a primary component of a dish. Plus, it is super handy for preserving the local stash. (Pickles, anyone?)

5.) Food preserved by friends, family and neighbors.  Can I guarantee that every ingredient in my BFF's raspberry jam was locally grown? No.  Does the fact that she made it with local berries and her own TLC meet the spirit of the challenge in my eyes? Yes, absolutely.

**I have also put in a travel provision, since I will be in Chicago and NYC during the month of September. When traveling, I will commit to eating as locally as possible in the cities I am in, but it probably won't be up to the Extreme level I'll be rocking at home. And I'm OK with that.**

Are YOU signing up for the Eat Local Challenge?  For 2 weeks, or 4?  What did you consider when picking your level of commitment, and what are your exceptions (if you have any)?  I'd love to hear about it!

I'll be blogging from start to finish about my experiences during the 2011 Eat Local Challenge.  We also have a Willy Street Co-op Eat Local Challenge group that you can join on Facebook.  Last year group members swapped recipes, tips on preparing foods, and even where to find certain prized ingredients (like flour and local dry beans).  Check it out if you're interested. The Eat Local Challenge info page also links to some local bloggers who will also be sharing their challenge experiences, as well as recipes, a week-long meal plan and more!