Utah’s Eat Local Challenge started in 2007 when Salt Lakers Andrea and Michael Heidinger wondered if they could feed themselves solely on food produced within 250 miles of their home in the Salt Lake Valley. Catalyst Magazine profiled this effort in a June 2007 article. Slow Food Utah was an enthusiastic supporter of their explorations as Andrea and Michael invited others to join them.They hosted potlucks and food quests in the region to seek out local foods. And they managed to eat local and eat well. The tradition has continued annually, with others stepping forward to help organize the events.
This year, Gwen Crist and Slow Food Utah take the lead in organizing the Challenge with our long-time partner organization Wasatch Community Gardens. We invite any and all Utahns to join in our Eat Local adventures. Its the peak of the season, its fun, its eye-opening, its delicious! Join us. To get started, take the 2012 Eat Local Pledge here. Then start getting organized, and decide your own boundaries: how long? how far? how strict? (can you use spices and condiments you already have? Other exceptions for health or dietary reasons?). Pre-planning menus and seeking out local resources can help make the Challenge easier. Come to one of our many scheduled events to meet other locavores, share stories and resources, get inspired, and have fun. You can learn more and also register for specific events at Wasatch Garden’s Challenge page, and also download the flyer 2012 flyer Eat Local Challenge.