Just the Beginning

Today I began my search for locally grown food. My neighbor Pam was kind enough to give me the number of three local meat farmers and a place just down the road that sells fresh eggs. My brother, Luke, gave me the name of four co-ops in Minneapolis and St. Paul he thought would sell locally grown food.

I began by calling the meat farmers and struck out on two out of three. No one seems to answer his or her phone during the day. But, Sunshine Harvest Farms answered the phone and I set up an appointment to visit the farm and buy meat tomorrow.

I also called the co-ops. The first place, The Wedge, told me they had potatoes, tomatoes, and green cabbage that were locally grown. I did not think we could live off just that so I called Lakewind's Natural Foods. They told me I was out of luck and to come back in three months or try the farmer's market in May. The next place I called was Seward Co-op in Minneapolis. Jackpot! They told me they had locally grown parsnips, spinach, onions, potatoes, shallots, basil, tomatoes, mushrooms, lettuce, beets, turnips, and rutabaga. I was thrilled. The final place I called did not seem to understand what I was asking and kept telling me they had lots of produce, but not whether or not it was local.

After work I drove 17.9 miles to Seward Co-op. This grocery store is a great place for those looking to eat locally. Every fruit and vegetable is labeled as to where it is from. All gluten-free, organic, and local food item is labeled. This was a big help for me. I did not have to read every label and could tell exactly where it came from. Not only did Seward Co-op have local vegetables, it had local pasta, granola, cheese, milk, eggs, and many other things. In order for the food to be categorized as local it has to be from within your state and its four surrounding. Our local states include Iowa, Michigan. Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. I bought $123 of locally grown food (see receipt above) and am excited for the challenge to begin.