Rutland Localvore Workshop at Solarfest 07

 "100 Mile Diet"

 July 14, 2007, Tinmouth, VT-

Randal Smathers, Editor of the Rutland Herald,  and the organizers of the Rutland Localvores - Carol Tashie, Stephanie Jones, Dennis Duhaime and Mike O'Brien- did a workshop entitled "100 mile diet" to a group of about 50 Solarfest attendees.

Localvores Bring In The New Season

 Rutland - There was a rich variety of foods available for the second localvore challenge in Rutland on December 21st at the Education and Wellness Center. The first challenge occurred in September with  Frances Moore Lappe talking about the importance of local food combined with a foodfest of locally grown produce.  This potluck was designed to be more low-key in nature but more action oriented as people obtained and cooked their own food potluck style. 

As with any potluck, there were choices to be had.  A sampling of foods included: homemade bread made with Gleason Grains,
Corn Chowder with Thomas's milk, Rutland corn frozen, homegrown potatoes (from Haleba seed potatoes),lots of local cheeses, quiche with Tweed Farm mushrooms, local applesauce, apple upsidedown cake, for starters.  

The screening of the film "Affluenza" immediately followed the dinner and most all stayed for the conversation afterwards. The mood of the event was festive and it gave many an opportunity to make new friends while discussing issues of sustainability and the importance of buying locally.  

This event was co-sponsored by the Rutland Food Coop, Central Vermont Peace and Justice and the Rutland Regional Sustainability Network.

The Next quarterly Localvore Challenge will be occuring in March. Until then Rutland Localvores are challenging themselves to eat more food locally by eating local foods for one day, one week, or a month or more.

MOB

Are you participating in Rutland Area Farm and Food Link’s 5-10-50 campaign? 

What:  Join RAFFL and local farmers by indulging in the bounty of the growing season—dark leafy greens, ripe tomatoes, squash, potatoes, salad fixings and other produce; meats, cheeses and eggs; sweets like honey and syrup.

Why:  Fresh and healthy food, open rural landscapes and an integral connection to our landscape are all benefits of thriving farms and farmers that are dependent on the support of local consumers.

    Local farmers posing with Frances Moore Lappe at the "Harvest Celebraton" September 22.

How: Look for the “heart of Vermont” sticker identifying locally grown products.  The set a personal goal: within 5 years you are buying at least 10% of your food from farms within 50 miles of where you live.