A Farmers’ Market throwdown
We, the members of the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market, would like to pose to you, the members of our communities, an “Eat Local Challenge.”
The initial idea belongs to a young man who came to the Market in the Aroostook Centre Mall parking lot on a recent mid-morning Saturday. Exuding energy and enthusiasm, he visited venders offering meat, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, fruit, honey, and bakery goods. At each stop, he announced his intention to eat only local foods produced within 100 miles of his home through the summer months. This enterprising fellow confirmed to himself and to us that his experiment was going to encourage him to truly pay attention to both the food itself and the preparation necessary to provide a healthy diet.
At each stop, he asked venders, “Do you think I can do it?” In general, our response was a resounding, “Yes!” since most of us use our own products as the basis for our family meals. This is one of the strongest arguments for safe, fresh, locally grown foodstuffs — we are not going to be even a little bit tempted to utilize production techniques that would potentially compromise the quality of our products if we are consumers of them.
The young man walked away with an armload of food, a happy smile, and an enthusiastic outlook. He left behind the kernel of an idea that we batted about as we continued to meet and greet customers — what if we proffer a similar challenge to the community? We wouldn’t make it as onerous as his 24/7 effort might seem; some people would not be willing to make such a profound life change or would feel overwhelmed by food preparation in this ready-to-eat, packaged-for-the-microwave world.
We settled on one day per week between July 16th and September 17th, a total of nine days. On that one day each week, folks who have registered for the “Eat Local Challenge” consume only food that was produced within 100 miles of their home. It does not have to be strictly products from the Farmers’ Market, just local. Upon completion of the challenge, you report back (between 9/17 and 10/1) at the same locale to become eligible for a drawing.
The Presque Isle Farmers’ Market venders have agreed to contribute to the prizes, a cornucopia of good things to eat and enjoy from our farms to your home if yours is one of the names drawn. Marada Cook from Crown of Maine Organic Coop is so enthused with the whole idea she has agreed to “kick in” as well. Winners will be contacted individually and their names will appear on our website and on our Facebook page.
Good food and good fun. Sign up to win!
Editor’s note: This weekly column is written by members of the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market. For more information or to join, contact their secretary/treasurer Steve Miller of Westmanland at 896-5860 or via e-mail at beetree@xpressamerica.net. The group’s website is https://sites.google.com/site/presqueislefarmersmarket/
