Time to get Penny-wise and Local!

Okay, here we go!  Now let me say straight up, that I may not be the best example to follow in this Penny-wise Eat Local Challenge.  I'm going to do the best I can--which is the goal for all of us, no?  But I realize that this is not a typical week--with many meals beyond my control.

In fact, I think one of the reasons why $144 seems like so much money to me (to feed a family of two or more with two wage earners for a week) is because two of my meals each and every week from  September through May are taken in community.  And I only cook one of them.  This week, I'll be eating out tonight (a meeting), Wednesday (our church's community dinner) Friday (a special event potluck) and Sunday (our regular student dinner).  If I could get truffles, I'd eat them every other night!

So here's what I'm going to do:

Definition of Local for this Challenge:

I'm going to use the 250 mile radious this time around.  Let's face it, even with the 70 degree weather we're having, it's still not peak eating time here in the northeast and I want to be able to forage further afield if necessary.  This would let me include D'artagnan duck, sausages, and chickens in my menu (because otherwise there won't be any chicken this week.)  I'm hoping this will also fetch me a few more greens too.  Though I have to say, I was at an Earth Dinner at Circa last night sponsored by Organic Valley and the carrots, apples, and french fries that accompanied the pot roast, pulled pork, and chicken (respectively) still tasted fresh and wonderful.

Exemptions to Claim:

I'm going to claim my usual exemptions--sugar, salt and other spices, baking soda and baking powder.  I've got some local sourdough starter so I can still make bread and I plan to include some products that, while having far away ingredients, are produced locally--like Tierra Farms mulberry and pistachio granola. 

Any Changes to the Budget Goal:

Even though we're eating so weird this week we'll stick to the two wage-earner budget and set it at $144 for the week.  This, however, will include the ingredients I'll buy for the brunch I'm hosting on Saturday afternoon.  Talk about a challenge!  We'll see what I can come up with.

Other Personal Goals:

I guess given the slimmer pickings this early in the season, my personal goals will be trying not to eat my local and organic milk and cereal for every other meal I'm not eating out.  And when I do eat out--to the extent possible--I'm going to try to keep it to restaurants that source locally.  Oh yeah--to make sure I track all of this I'm going to pay in cash only--money just slips right out of me when I use that ATM card for everything.

Well that's me.  If you are participating I'd love to hear your goals too so post a comment and let us know how it is going.  Also, keep checking the Eat Local Challenge blog for tips and inspiration. 

Comments

[anisa]

I think this is a reasonable goal. We don't always do it, but I use a menu thing called "saving dinner" and I plan for twenty dinners once a month for four people. I do the local and organic thing as much as is available to me, I prepare and freeze the dinners, and then just defrost and cook as schedule permits. It averages a little over fifteen dollars for a family of four for dinner, very acceptable, and that way fresh local stuff doesn't go to waste.

It's not all that gourmet, or extreme, but so far the little kids like it except for the fish--and we're working on that ;)

[Jennifer BB]

Anisa, this sounds great. You know it's like those new businesses cropping up where you pay $200 to make a week's worth of meals--but you probably do it for less and get better ingredients--very cool.