What is a Locavore or Localvore Anyway?

Have you heard the buzz about the groups calling themselves Locavores or Localvores? Maybe you have heard about the 100-Mile Diet and are wondering what it is all about. Have you been wondering about the new culinary trend that leans toward using the freshest, local, seasonal ingredients? If you can answer yes to any of these you are not alone. These new concepts seem to be catching on no matter where in the United States or even the world you live in.

So what is a Localvore or a Localvore anyway? The Locavore movement started in San Francisco with four women who decided to promote the idea of eating foods that were only grown or produced in a 100-mile radius. In 2005 these four women challenged themselves, others in the Bay area, and the world to eat only local foods for one month. The reasons Locavores site for this way of life are as diverse as the people taking on the challenge; better nutrition, sustainable agriculture, supporting community business, less environmental impact, and some just think the food tastes better. Along with this there is a big push to get to know the farmers who are growing your food, too many people in our global world market have disconnected from our food sources. Knowing exactly how your food was raised ensures quality and safety.

From this west coast movement more movements were spawned. On the east coast the Localvores sprung up in Vermont. The east coast Localvores site the same reasons for eating local but live with a different set of challenges from the west coasters. The Localvores face a shorter growing season, long winters, and an entirely different selection of native foods.

So how does this local way of eating actually work? For these answers we look toward something dubbed the 100-mile diet. The 100-mile diet is a lifestyle choice for those who wish to eat local foods. The rules for this diet are quite simple; map out a one hundred mile radius and eat only seasonal foods produced in that area. This of course presents some problems for instance those in northern climates would have to rely on honey and maple sugar for sweetener because sugar is not produced in that area. Many areas do not have a reliable source for grains, salt, or oils. Then there is the problem of seasonings and that all-important chocolate. For these items the 100-milers and localvores alike have adopted wild cards and the Marco Polo rule. These little bends in the rules allow for items like olive oil, salt, baking powder, and some chocolate as well as seasonings that a traveler could have carried in his pocket from afar. Others use their wild cards for tea, coffee, or other indulgences.

This life style takes planning and work. You will need to research and search for sources of the foods you want to eat. You can stop at a local farm or farmers market, visit a natural foods market, read labels, and get involved with others who share your views to find these food sources. You will need to be willing to eat with the seasons which means springs and summers full of fresh produce and fruit and winters with hearty menus full of locally raised meats and root vegetables. Eating this way will take most processed and convenience foods off the menu, you will need to know how to cook and commit the time to cooking. For many there can be an increase in the amount of money that will be spent on food. Many 100-milers are glad to pay a little more to support the local economy and help reduce the impact their eating habits have on the environment. Most tout the health benefits of eating seasonal foods and claim that this way of eating is much better for us than relying on the grocery store for the meat coming from factory farms and pale lifeless produce that has lost it's nutrition on it's average journey of over a thousand miles from farm to table. Even if you cannot go all the way with this lifestyle even small changes can have an impact on your community.

If you would like to know more about this lifestyle you could visit www.100milediet.org to find guidelines, support, and use the handy map program to find you 100-mile radius. For those interested in knowing more about the original Locavores please visits www.locavores.com. You can find out about the Localvores in Vermont at www.Vermontlocalvore.org.