Just Food Co-op

THE CHALLENGE:
Eat 80% of your food from the 5 state area for 1 month, from August 20-September 17, 2011.

THE DETAILS:
Just sign up on the poster at the front of the store, or make a mental commitment if you’d like your challenge to be more private. Then try to make sure that four out of five of the foods you eat or ingredients you use are locally produced. It’s that easy!

Because this is YOUR challenge (not ours), we encourage you to make it your own. If 80% seems too intimidating, go for 50%. If you’re already eating mostly local foods, perhaps you want to increase your challenge to 100%, or reduce your local food area to 50 miles instead of 5 states. Some folks decide that they will not count spices and salt toward their 80%, some do. Some families try for 80% by weight, others count ingredients. The idea here is to set your own challenge before August 20, and then try to meet that challenge for the whole month. It may seem overwhelming at first, but just remember that this is the peak of the season in Minnesota! And if you get tired of cooking, head over to our deli hot bar where everything will be at least 80% local (the deli cooler will have some local choices too).

THE SOURCES:
* Look for the local label at Just Food Co-op, or ask a helpful staff member for assistance in finding our many local products. No matter where you shop, read the label to find out where your product was grown or produced.
* Try something new. You’ll have the chance to sample a variety of delicious locally-produced foods on Saturday, August 20 from 11-1 in Just Food Co-op.
* Ask your favorite restaurant or coffee shop if they are sourcing any of their ingredients locally. Many of the local coffee shops use local dairy products, and some restaurants source some of their ingredients locally too!
* Talk to a local farmer! Many local farmers will sell what they grow directly to you off of their farm. Visit www.localharvest.org to find farms near you. Or, stop by one of the excellent farmers markets in the area.

THE INSPIRATION- Events During the Challenge:

Eat Local Sample Day
Saturday, August 20, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Taste some of the wonderful local products available at Just Food, and get some ideas for your Eat Local Challenge menu!

Build a Root Cellar with the SEEDS Farm
Saturday, August 20, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $10. Location: SEEDS Farm.
See details on page 3. This event is sponsored and presented solely by the SEEDS Farm. Please contact them directly if you have any questions.

Taste of Minnesota Local Food Dinner at 620 Grill
Monday, August 29, 6 p.m.
Cost: $45 in advance (and at the door if available)
Location: 620 Grill, Northfield.
Enjoy a five course meal made with locally-grown ingredients at 620 Grill during the Eat Local Challenge! They will be serving local wines, beers and vodka as well. See details on page 12.
This event is sponsored and presented solely by 620 Grill. Please contact them directly if you have any questions.

Bulk Beginnings—Local Edition!
Tuesday, August 30, 7-8:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE Instructor: Monica Caldwell
Join Bulk Buyer Monica Caldwell for an informational class that will make you a bulk area expert. Monica will sample dishes made with bulk items, provide recipes, talk about cooking instructions, and take you on a detailed tour of the bulk area. She’ll focus on the many wonderful local items that are found in our bulk department. Add to your repertoire of delicious, simple, and cost-conscious meals while having fun and exploring the many local options found here at Just Food Co-op.

Harvest Festival
Saturday, September 17, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Just Food parking lot
Cost: FREE
Bring the whole family down to Just Food and celebrate the bounty of the harvest! You’ll enjoy live music while you sample a variety of delicious locally-produced foods. Plus, create art with ArtOrg as they bring their steamroller printing workshop back to the Harvest Festival once again! This is a free event for the entire community. As the festival is in our parking lot, please be prepared to find alternative parking from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. on the day of the Harvest Festival.