I can’t believe it’s that time again, time to start planning meals for the dark days of winter, and the second Dark Days of Winter Eat Local Challenge. It seems like just yesterday that I put the challenge out there for the first time, and I really can’t believe that it’s been more than 6 months since we finished up - where did the summer go?
As we finish out the October Eat Local Challenge, I hope you’ll join me for the Dark Days Challenge again this year. In the interest of shaking things up, I’d like to not only set for the “rules” but also ask for your input on some optional ideas. So keep reading if you’d like to take part (or are just considering it). The challenge will run from November 15 to March 15 and sign-up starts now!
The “Rules”:
- Cook one meal a week featuring at least 90% local ingredients
- You define local - the standard definitions range from 100, to 150 to 200 miles
- Ingredients can be things you grew and preserved yourself, sourced from local farms and markets, or purchased at the store
- Write about the meals you cook, your challenges finding ingredients, why you’re eating local or whatever else strikes your fancy for each recap. Photos are optional.
- Include friends and family in your sourcing and eating as possible
The Options:
- We can do either weekly or bi-weekly recaps, be sure to note your preference when you sign up
- We could have themes for each recap timeframe or each month. I’m thinking things like cooking with squash, making pasta, finding one new ingredient/source, making a new-to-you dish, etc.
- I’m going to need back-up for the recaps for times I’m swamped with work or out of town - last year I tried to do it all and that was a mistake!
- Other ideas?
Signing up:
To make it easier for me to track who you are, where you are, and what you think about the options, I’ve created a sign-up page for this year’s challenge. Please submit it so I’ve got you on the list and also be sure to leave a comment here if you’d like!
As we get closer to the start date, I’ll be in touch with everyone with more details and where we end up on the options.
Looking forward to seeing what you eat and where you find it!
*****
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Hey, I am really interested in taking part in this, though I am in Australia and so it is spring over here
Does that matter?? Anyway, let me know if it does. I have gone to the sign-up page and filled in the form, but just letting you know here as well.
I’m in! I think this will be interesting, and I want to see how my summer canning works out for winter eating.
OHHH, count me in!
I’m in, Laura — just signed up. Thanks so much! (Great button, too.)
I would love to participate! I gave it a go last year (although I started late) and we (family of 5 with 3 kids) “discovered” several new favourites. We also participated the Growing Challenge this year and feel much better equipped for managing our meals this winter. Thanks for initiating this again!
Hey, Laura - I’m heading over to the sign up page now. What do you think about doing recaps on a Flickr page (folks can post their pics and the description right there, all together, no time on your part)? While we were doing One Local Summer, I thought it might be easier for everyone to just post directly into a regional group.
Just a thought - thanks for getting this going again!
I just signed up to participate again. I left it at “No” for helping with recaps. But, I could step up and help. Am just a little lacking in confidence re my writing ability. But, I do appreciate you organizing this and will help if you need it.
Finally surfacing from a month of nonstop work… yes, I would love to participate and to help with recapping. My first impression is that I’m so wild about the themes, but that may just be because I zoomed in on your squash suggestion (which we both, rather amusingly, loathe!
) All the others sound like fun.
Hi Laura. I’m not going to be participating this year, but I just wanted to say good luck with this year’s challenge. I know how much work it was for you last year, and I appreciate what you’re doing to help others realize that eating local can be year-round endevour…a lifetime endevour really.
Wow - we’re at 14 participants already! Are you all inviting your friends to play too?
Farm mom - I’m sad to know you won’t be joining us, but I know you have a lot going on. I’ll be checking in on you anyway…!
I’m in! I try to eat local all year around, but the winter is a particular challenge. I can’t wait to take this on with a community of support!
Looking forward to trying this. I don’t have a car, or much $, or much free time so I am curious to see how hard this is to do. Looking forward to seeing what everyone finds and makes.
I’m looking forward to seeing just how much local food I actually use and where I can make a permanant switch. I suspect that I do more local eating that I give myself credit for but its a few of my basic pantry items that I havent found time to source locally that hold me back. I just found a local mill that may be using mostly local grains and if so than my bread would even qualify. My usually picky 3 year old and I cant wait to start
I’m going to try. My fall-back might turn into breakfast with local bacon, eggs, and bread made out of local spelt. I do have a bunch of local meat, flour, and some stuff I canned, and I know of a several farms that have year-round farm stands - so I will give it a shot. I think my biggest challenge is making time to snap pix for the weekly blog post. I did a local summer food challenge and fell apart after a few weeks.
I’m going to give this a try Laura! You’re so inspiring and I just finished Seattle Tilth’s COG class (based on your recommendation!) so I have some things growing but not to the point I can eat them…I do get a weekly Winter Share from Kent’s Whistling Train Farm which should help but now need to look into the meat portion…either way, thanks for sponsoring this!
I’m in, just signed up and looking forward to it.
Pam
I just signed up, and I look forward to participating in the challenge! It should be interesting, given that Kansas City winters are particularly harsh. Thank goodness for our local co-op!
I’m in! I was invited by peg at thepalmyrasliver. and excited for it!
I just signed up! This sounds really exciting and fun, and I’m really really glad I put up all that corn this summer
I wish I’d saved more of this summer’s bounty. Looking forward to the challenge.
Is it too late now to sign up? I just got word of this, and would love to give it a shot.
Ditto on Julia’s question….are we too late?
(would LOVE to participate!)
We’re in!! We’re in!! Sheesh… you get busy and loose track of things and the next thing you know you’re a month behind!! LOL Check out our new blog (all the same content just on a new host) and we’ll throw down on this challenge for sure! LOCALVORES RAWK!! LOL
talk to you soon…
The Shibaguyz
Is it too late to start participating? The form was no where to be seen on the page that lists participants. Would love to join if we can. We live in Lansing Mi and try to source out as many local foods as possible, esp our veggies, cheese and meats. I usually mention on the blog what meal was the localvore meal or items that were local.
Ginger
I am supposing it is too late to sign up for the challenge. I am going to do it anyway. I found your blog while looking up hobby farms and chickeners!
Great pictures and posts!
I would love to join officially if that is possible. I am from Wayne, West Virginia.
I couldn’t find the 2009 sign up form anywhere but I want to join! I actually started doing this on a wild hair 1/1 of 2009 and we are going strong - took out the front lawn and frequent the famer’s market with maybe 10-20% of items purchased through Azure Standard or PCC, everything else is directly from the farmers.
I’m curious to see if I’ve put up enough tomatoes to last us the year…