That looks wonderful. I'd love to live somewhere that I could buy more local stuff. Now isn't really growing season in Phoenix. :( I give myself a little bit bigger radius and call CA produce local for my purposes. I also do the make it and freeze it routine, so that minimizes the going out to eat or grabbing quick and easy instead of homemade and healthy. We make most of our own breads, as well as sauces and soups. Frozen soup reheated and eaten with a grilled cheese sandwich is our favorite last minute meal.

I noticed that you use Shatto Milk Company products and I wanted to just say thank you. My family owns and operates this local family dairy farm just north of Kansas City and appreciate your support more than you will ever know! You are welcome to come visit us on the farm anytime!

I would also like to say way to go on your effort to eat more local foods. It is amazing the fresh and pure nature of such products.

No matter, thanks again so very much for mentioning our local family farm in your blog and even more for your support. If there is anything we can ever do for you please do not hesitate to ask.

Producing Milk At Its Finest,

Leroy Shatto and Family

The dairy where you get your milk and butter may be able to give you an idea about somewhere to get cheese. Isn't fresh butter juts the best! I don't think you'll find rice either. We actually get rice from a place that is local to my in-laws in CA. They bring some whenever we see them. We do the same for olive oil.

Thanks for all the wonderful links! You've really been doing your research. I'm especially interested in the Brookside farmer's market. I checked out the market off Red Bridge and Holmes and was surprised to find only a half-dozen or so vendors. Perhaps because it was near the end of the morning and some had already gone? Not sure, but it's fun to try new things!

I am trying to do as much local as I can too, Alicia. I have a decent sized garden (for two people its pretty big) and make pretty much everything from scratch. We just bought a quarter of a grass-fed cow(!) as it is cheaper that way and will last us all year. If you ever want to learn canning, I have all of the gear and have done it enough to not be afraid! if you ever don't want to make bread (it gets so hot in the summer, sometimes I just can't take it), http://www.fervere.com/ makes incredible artisan breads and is located at 17th and Summit (next to Blue Bird Bistro). Good luck!

We've ended up substituting cooked Kamut, barley, or spelt for rice. Boiled just like rice, it's very yummy with butter and salt and pepper - especially if you're already used to brown rice. All wheat varieties, easier for us to find locally.

Eating local is a lot of work. But, we have loved the results here too.
Living on an island, local is always going to be best for us. Loads of grocery stores ship things in internationally and the prices are insane.
But, there are definitely things we've had to stop eating - like rice...and chicken is now a special occasion.
We switched the chicken for local venison and buffalo and don't miss the clucker so much any more.
Thanks for inspiring me to keep going with it all.

go team mayfly! we do as much local as we can - the dairy and eggs are easy as is produce. it's the meat i have a hard time finding.

Sounds like I should make the trek to Brookside once a week. Love Shatto milk and butter here, too. Goodness, it is yummy. I'm so impressed by all your homemade stuff... I'm such a dolt in the kitchen.

Beer is most certainly a staple in my house.

I have the same problem with chicken. I would love to buy local, but its insanely expensive, and we eat alot of it too. I'd love to find local dry beans.

Good for you for doing all you can! I am too!

thanks for the link for the strawberries! i've been wanting to take the boys someplace the berry farms don't have them this year. ack!

yeah. i signed up for that local challenge. yeah. we got our csa this year. yea, i wont' have any CARBS in a meal this week. geesh.

thanks! I've just saved this post until I have time to come back & compare notes!

The Berry Patch is awesome! We try to go the beginning of every July. After eating their fresh berries, the blueberries in the supermarket just don't compare...

This is a great post. I am trying to eat as local as possible this summer, esp. after reading The Omnivore's Dilemma and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Also, your staples list is great...I keep most of those staples as well (even the beer!)

Go you guys! It looks like a perfect meal. I am wishing I hadn't signed up for the challenge for real now - it is stressful. I mean to make EVERYTHING in a meal local really is just a game - it isn't realistic or sustainable. Sigh. Oh well - the point is to expand my horizons so I am going to try to do that. Sounds like you definitely are!

The meal looks awesome...we are going to be trying to do that as well. It is hard in Alberta, from October to July there really is no locally grown fruit or veg. Most of it comes from places like California or British Columbia. Even BC is a 9 hour ride away...it is pretty much as local as we can go. However, there is lots of organic meat!!

Alicia,
Thanks, there are a few resources here that are new to me. I appreciate the info. Maybe I'll see you at the Berry Patch! I can't wait either!!!!

You can get chicken here for a little cheaper than what you mentioned, although not much.
http://www.skyviewfarm.net/

I think you'll like Soaring Eagle Farms. We get our w.w. flour from them and I love it. It seems to substitute better in recipes than w.w. flour from the store.

What a yummy meal. And very inspiring!
Becky

go you guys!

beer and vodka are totally on the list over here.

our local csa's had long wait-lists this year. so we'll be getting all our produce from 'uncle paul,' the crazy and endearing owner of portland's only permanent farmers market.

also. that last quote on blogging just made my night. :)

That looks so good right now! And I'm not usually a hamburger lover.