Willy Street Co-op launches Eat Local Challenge

Greater Madison-area residents are invited to put their money where their mouths – and producers – are and help stimulate local economic growth by taking the Eat Local Challenge, August 15 through September 15. Willy Street Co-op, with the support of REAP Food Group, Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition and Sustain Dane, is challenging people to eat more local foods, whether they’re from farmers’ markets, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), a garden or grocery stores.

Those wishing to participate simply sign up at Willy Street Co-op or at willystreet.coop starting July 15th to show their commitment to eating more local food for the duration of the challenge. Long-time fans of local food are encouraged to sign up as “Hardcore Locavores,” who will eat only food grown locally or made entirely of local ingredients (except for salt). Those who are just starting out – the local newbies – are urged to begin by eating one locally prepared ingredient per meal (“Toe in the Water Locavore”). There are a variety of levels in between.

Everyone who signs up will receive $12 worth of coupons for local products, a Food Diary, a sample weeklong menu, recipes, a REAP Farm Fresh Atlas, and a MACSAC brochure about Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs). The first 300 people to sign up will also receive a free Eat Local Challenge t-shirt.

Throughout the Challenge, Willy Street Co-op will be sampling local foods and holding events, like the DIY Fair, where local experts like Mad City Chickens, Paradigm Gardens and Fitchburg fields will give you tips to create your own local food.

“There are so many beneficial factors to eating local food,” said Lynn Olson, Willy Street Co-op Director of Co-op Services. “Two of the primary ones are the retained nutrients and the freshness factor, as opposed to products taking days or weeks to be shipped across the country or from even farther away.

“There is an environmental price tag for long-distance foods that’s rarely reflected in the shelf price, but pollution generated to transport foods over long distances is commonly overlooked as a factor.” Olson added. “Buying locally grown and locally prepared foods supports local farmers and businesses, keeping the long-term agricultural viability of our community alive. Since opening in 1974, Willy Street Co-op and our community have prioritized growing, buying and eating local foods. We’re thrilled that more and more consumers in Wisconsin and around the globe are rediscovering the flavor, freshness and multiple benefits of buying local food and supporting their local economies.”

Here are some tips to help you on your path to eating local:

Start early. Prior to the Challenge, begin introducing more local foods into your diet as a way to make it more of a habit to buy local.

Plan out meals. While it may feel a bit daunting to plan each meal weeks in advance, developing plans can be a fun learning experience and can make participating in the challenge much easier. Plus, it’s a great time- and money-saver.

Start small. Whether you’re diving right in or just putting your toe in the water, incorporating local foods in your diet is definitely doable. And it can be fun and a learning experience as well!

For more information, see www.willystreet.coop/ELC.