People no longer rely on biological taxonomy to determine what to eat.
Though humans are omnivores by nature, some people take the flexibility of that classification to a whole new level.
Locavores is the term they use to describe themselves, and they try to eat only foods that have been grown or raised within a 100-mile radius of where they live.
‘I do it because I’m scared of food,? said Victoria Connolly, owner of Victoria’s Delights in downtown Oxford, referring to things like pesticides and other chemicals, bacteria, etc. ‘I want to know what’s in the food.?
However, there are reasons that extend beyond the food itself that inspire people to eat local. Locavore’s diets are fashioned on freedom of choice, coupled with the desire to increase the nutritional, economical and environmental elements of the foods consumed.
‘When I was growing up, unless my mom grew it, we didn’t eat it,? Victoria said.
It was this lifestyle that inspired Victoria to serve local, better foods at her restaurant. It started out with just ordering products from the United States.
‘After the economy got so bad in Michigan, I cranked it up a notch,? she said. ‘I replaced anything I could with a Michigan product.?
Although she doesn’t have signs plastered on every wall announcing that her ingredients come from Michigan, Victoria says she thinks her customers are aware, and that’s why they’re so loyal.
‘I’ve noticed more people saying that they realize things are getting tough here, and they want to frequent the Michigan markets,’she said.
Changing your diet requires some getting used to, but it doesn’t have to be a chore.
‘It’s like a treasure hunt,? said Gina Torielli, a locavore who lives on the Brandon/Oxford border. Torielli has been shopping the local markets for approximately two years. ‘It’s more of a hobby for me,? she said. ‘I’ve always loved food and loved to cook.?
But, not everyone has time to grow their own food or find all their food locally.
‘I read something that said if people just spent $50 of their grocery budget on Michigan products it would generate millions of dollars for the economy,? Victoria said.
‘You can start on a small scale by just visiting the farmer’s market to see what they have,? said Kathy Connolly, Victoria’s mother and master gardener.
And for those who do enjoy a little gardening, foods can be potted and grown in small quantities, it doesn’t have to be a huge garden.
‘I grow herbs, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, and potatoes and cucumbers all in pots, and all in a 10? X 10? space,? said Kathy. And it only takes an hour or two of her time each week.
All three of the locavores featured in this story come from different backgrounds and approach their goal in different ways.
But, they agree on at least one thing ? ‘When you start eating the fresh stuff, it tastes so much better,? said Kathy.
It also helps keep local farms and stores in business, and cuts down on transportation of goods, which reduces air pollution.
‘It’s a lot of work ? mostly planning and driving around,? said Torielli. ‘But you get attuned to it. You begin to learn where things are available, and there are several resources that can aide you in your search. The Oakland County Farmer’s Market has a list of current seasonal foods that are available, so you know what you will find there on any given day.?
In addition to this, there are a few books that all three recommended as a good source of motivation to start eating locally.
The two most popular and helpful are, ‘Animal, Vegetable, Miracle? by Barbara Kingsolver and ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma? by Michael Pollan.
Eating local may not always be the most economical thing for the average person’s pocketbook, but it has other rewards.
‘Everybody wants the cheapest thing,? said Victoria, ‘but what I am most concerned about is that the product’s not as fresh.?
It may cost a little more to shop at the farmer’s market, but the food is going to last longer and it’s going to taste better, she noted.
There are farmer’s markets in Pontiac, Rochester, Royal Oak, Flint, Lake Orion and now Oxford.
‘We’re lucky because we have a lot around here,? said Torielli.
In addition to this, there are numerous local farms. Community Supported Agriculture is a program that allows customers to pay a flat rate fee to a specific farm, and that will supply them with produce on a weekly basis for the duration of the growing season, according to Torielli.
A person can even do volunteer work sometimes for a discount on your share, while getting experience in the garden.
‘It’s environmentally sensitive, and a larger percentage of the money is staying in my community,? she said.
Though it does require more than just simply walking into a supermarket and blindly grabbing all your groceries, eating locally is rewarding.
Once you start eating fresh products, you won’t even want to shop anywhere else, according to Kathy.
For more information on CSA, visit www.localharvest.com.
For a directory of both farmer’s market locations and produce availability, visit www.farmersmarket.com.