Local is King

Shot from the weekday PSU Portland Farmers Market

In a land where a dozen eggs go for $6.00 a dozen and sell out in about 1 hour, lies a locavore’s dream. Well, my dream to be exact. A place that champions local food above all else, a place that boycotts restaurants who get deliveries from Sysco, a place where it is easier to procure local food than a McDonalds – this place is Portland, Oregon. Coming back to Nashville has burst my locavore high, as I try to search for local food to continue my Eat Local Challenge through this month. Of course I have access to the Farmers’ Markets which give me the staples of produce, bread, pasta, meat, and dairy – but I’ve realized it’s the little things that make it challenging. What about local yogurt, cereal, spices, grains, baking ingredients, morning juice, local snacks like hummus, chips, dehydrated fruit, crackers, pita, drinks etc? And not to mention the fact that many of the local prepared food in Nashville isn’t even made with local ingredients. I am envious of a place where local reigns King and am hopeful that Nashville can become that. It takes us as consumers to demand that change from chefs, business owners, and local food companies. It is exciting to be on the forefront of the movement here, and recognizing we have so much room to expand what is offered locally. We might be about 10 years behind Portland, but that doesn’t mean we can’t catch up. It’s time to dream big and envision a place where being a locavore is easy. So I’d love to know your thoughts: What is your dream for this movement of making local food king?