Eat Local Challenge

Eat Local Challenge Participants
If you participated in the Eat Local Challenge, drop off your passport through October 7 (it does not have to be completely filled out) to one of the participating restaurants and markets (excluding the Kalamazoo Farmers' Market) to get your prize! Please remember to fill out your contact information so that we can enter you into a raffle. Enjoy your exploration with local foods as the seasons change!

Throughout the month of September, how much of your diet can be local? We challenge you to incorporate locally produced foods into your diet.

Why do local foods matter?
Local foods...

• Taste better and are fresher than foods produced to travel long distances.

• Use less fuel for transport and less packaging than long-distance food.

• Keep more money within in your community and support farmers that you know and trust instead of large corporations.

• Help keep you connected to the food you eat and safeguard your health... you can find out who produced your food, where your food was produced, how it was produced and under what conditions. Your food begins to have a story in which you take part!

How can you take part in the Eat Local Challenge?
Set a local food goal for the month of September
Commit to spending a certain amount of money or percentage of your current food expenses on local foods this month. Take a look at your fridge and cupboards and see what can be replaced with local foods-if there is no local replacement, try finding a local subsitute! Try creating an entire meal using local foods. Pick one or two products to source locally throughout the month of September-the possibilities are endless!

Need some ideas on where to get local foods?
Shop and dine at an Eat Local Challenge participating market or restaurant, shop at the Kalamazoo Farmers' Market (look for the Eat Local Challenge logo at participating vendors) and try seasonal produce that you've never eaten before, or pick something from your garden.

Starting September 1, go to one of the particpating restaurants and markets to pick up your Eat Local Challenge passport.

Eat Local Challenge Participants
To take part in the Challenge, look for the Eat Local Challenge logo at the following locations and ask them about their local food options:

• Cosmo's Cucina - 804 W. Vine, 269-344-5666

• Food Dance - 401 E. Michigan, 269-382-1888

• Irving's Market - 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, 269-344-4787

• Just Good Food - 303 N. Rose Street, 269-383-1033

• Kalamazoo Farmers' Market (select vendors) - 1200 Bank Street, 269-337-8899

• Natural Health Center - 4610 West Main, 269-349-9459

• People's Food Co-op - 436 S. Burdick Street, 269-342-5686

• Water Street Coffee Joint - 3037 Oakland Drive, 269-488-0018

• Water Street Coffee Joint - 315 E. Water Street, 269-373-2840

• Zazios - 100 W. Michigan, 269-384-2650

To inspire your personal local food challenge, pick up Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon's book, PLENTY (aka The 100 Mile Diet) or attend the Eat Local, Kalamazoo! events.

Our Projects and Partnerships

Eat Local, Kalamazoo!--September 23-29, events in celebration and exploration of local foods. Learn more....

Future Chefs--A summer program for teens to learn to cook from scratch. Learn more....

Community Kitchen--Soon to be a place for individuals and organizations to process food for resale or public consumption. Learn more....

Farms-to-K College--A student group at Kalamazoo College interested in helping to bring more local food into their cafeteria. Learn more....

Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Fest--A celebration of local food, local farming, and sustainable living. Learn more....

Kalamazoo Area Food Systems Inventory--An assessment of the food system. Learn more....