Eating Local - It's not just for "foodies" anymore.

Viroqua Food Co-op Conducts Community-Wide Challenge to Eat Local from August 15 to Sept. 15

Eating local is not just for foodies anymore. Whether it’s “60 Minutes,” the New York Times or the Vernon County Broadcaster, more and more media are talking up eating local. And, more shoppers are walking the talk, both as a way to become more mindful eaters and to support the local economy.

With that in mind, Viroqua Food Co-op for the second year is hosting the “Eat Local, America!” challenge this summer, inviting area residents to focus on eating more local food from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15.  

Eat Local, America! is honor-based. Those wishing to participate simply sign a large poster at the Viroqua Food Co-op or log on to www.eatlocalamerica.coop.

Participants may choose the level that’s right for them. “Newbies” might start by eating one meal a week made with local food. Seasoned “locavores” can push the envelope – perhaps by making four out of five meals with local foods. Or participants can pick a personal goal somewhere in between.

During the Eat Local America Challenge and throughout the year, we call attention to local food on our shelves with a green shelf tag that says “Local”. At VFC we define local as grown within a 50 mile radius of Viroqua.

For this challenge, however, we are defining local food as being grown in Wisconsin or within 100 miles of your home. So we will have additional Miles-to-Market or Made in Wisconsin signs during the Eat Local Challenge.  

If you want to learn more about the local farmers and food producers for the VFC, check out our website at
http://viroquafood.coop/food-thought

National Challenge Underway

Viroqua Food Co-op is joining other food co-ops coast-to-coast in the second, national Eat Local, America! All participating co-ops are members of National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) – a business services cooperative representing 111 retail food co-ops nationwide. Food lovers can learn about all participating Eat Local, America! food cooperative and initiatives at
www.eatlocalamerica.coop.

Sign-Up and Join

Put your taste for local food to the test! Beginning August 15, visit the Co-op to sign up for the challenge and learn more about helpful recipes and products that will make achieving the challenge as easy as a summer breeze. Or, visit the national Web site at www.eatlocalamerica.coop to follow other participants coast-to-coast.

To help you navigate through your own personal local food challenge, NCGA  asked foodies, nutritionists, chefs, gardeners, writers and others to share their thoughts, recipes and encouragement about local food on the eat local blog. Charlene Elderkin, VFC Marketing Manager will be contributing to that blog - so check frequently for new local food tips, information and recipes at www.eatlocalamerica.coop/elablog2009

Why Eat Local?

Viroqua Food Co-op cultivates truly reciprocal partnerships and friendships with local growers and producers. Together, the VFC and local producers create viable market opportunities for local products, while giving co-op shoppers a convenient connection to fresh, delicious food of the highest quality.

Local food benefits Co-op shoppers, growers, communities and the environment. It’s also fresher and tastes better, because it retains more nutrients and promotes a healthy environment. With a shorter distance to travel, local food uses fewer natural resources, such as oil, in its transport.

In addition, eating local helps preserve and even stimulate the local economy, as dollars spent on local foods support regional farmers and producers. By keeping their wages in the community, much of the income they earn and the taxes they pay in turn go back to the local economy. 

Locally owned by over 2500 members of the community, the Viroqua Food Co-op keeps its investment dollars in the vicinity by supporting local farmers and producers in the Driftless area. Since July 1, 2008 to present, VFC has purchased $479,500 worth of food from Wisconsin farmers.  20% or $94,000 was purchased from Viroqua area farmers.

Although we’re holding this challenge during peak season for fresh produce, it’s possible – and not too difficult – to eat local food year-round. Fruit and vegetables can be preserved until the next harvest season, via canning, freezing and dehydrating. VFC is the go-to source for local dairy products, including milk and artisan cheese, as well as eggs, meat, poultry, fish, honey, maple syrup, herbal wellness & body care products, and even pizza, salsa, sauerkraut and ice cream. Happy eating!