Inspired by this post from Eco Women – I have challenged myself to prepare a Thanksgiving meal with local ingredients. This means that I will build my menu around food that is grown or raised within a 100 mile radius of my home.
I will have to do some research, because the local farmers markets are ending and I will have to get more creative. I live in Virginia, so my choices will likely look something like this:
- Free-range, heritage Turkey
- Sweet Potatoes
- Red Potatoes
- Winter Squash – butternut, acorn, pumpkin
- Apples – lots of them
- Nuts
- Dried fruits
- maybe some Peas
- Leafy greans like Kale, etc
My next post will include some online resources that I uncover after I do my research.
Will you join the challenge?
Life: Version 2.0 
Possible local sources for your turkey: C’ville Market, Rebecca’s, Integral Yoga, the organic butcher in Main Street Market, and of course local farms. You might try talking to farmers at next week’s farmers’ market.
Also, at next weeks’ farmers’ market, you should be able to source your potatoes, which should last until Thanksgiving.
The squash and greens will be more of a challenge, but I’m guessing Rebecca’s and Integral Yoga will have them.
The real issue isn’t going to be what you can find, but how much it will cost.
Good luck!
– Jen on the Edge / Recycla
Thanks Jen! I am pricing out local ‘heritage’ turkeys and you ain’t kidding! I actually live in northern va (I am a wanna-be cville resident – and that’s another conversation) so it is logistically a little more complicated. They did extend our farmers market through this coming weekend and I am going to talk to some of the merchants about this while there. There are a few farms in the area that may be able to accommodate me.
Thanks for being such an inspiration (on all of your blogs)
Susan
Ah, oops. Then I have no useful suggestions. đŸ™‚
Email me if you want to talk about life in C’ville and/or need ideas for relocating.