Localize 2013

New Year's Resolutions. I don't know about you but I am pretty into making a list for things I would like to accomplish throughout the new year. I'm a list maker. That's what I do. For me, it helps to organize my thoughts and allows me to check up on my progress fairly easily. One of my biggest new year's resolutions for 2013 is to buy more food locally.

I filled up this entire bag with produce for less than $6 at the Community Co-op Market!

This has been a goal of mine for a while but it always seemed a little intimidating and out of reach. I really didn't know where to begin. After starting this food blog and meeting some people that were into the 'buying local' scene, I decided just to jump in and do it! I did a little research and found multiple food co-ops and farms through community supported agriculture in my area.

Community Supported Agriculture is great for people who want to pay upfront and have their groceries delivered at steady intervals throughout the growing season. Many CSA's will have options for produce, dairy and meat.

Food Co-ops are great for people who want to do some shopping themselves, have a bit more flexibility and a low starting cost.

For me, starting out with a food co-op is what sounded like the most convenient and do-able thing for my family. I decided to check out The Community Co-op because they have open markets twice a week as well as online ordering. They run on volunteer service to keep the prices low and annual membership of only $5!

I picked up my first 'share' from them this weekend. They have several options of online orders ranging from a standard share (pictured above) to individual items and other local goodies. I was amazed at all of the food I got for just $27!

I have been encouraged so far with the items I have received as well as how much money I have been saving. I feel like my goal for the year is much more attainable than I did a few months ago. Please follow along as I navigate this journey to buy my food locally. I'll keep you up to date with recipes as I eat more seasonally.

What local products do you love? I would love to hear any tips you have about buying local or eating seasonally as well!

With Love,
Jess

"Do small things with great love." ~ Mother Teresa

My cousin Britani and I during harvest on the farm.

One of the most important decisions people make day to day is what to eat. Making the decision of what food to put into your body comes from many different motivations including cost, taste, nutritional value, availability, convenience, etc. I think it is very important to examine which motivations drive you. For me, food is at its best when it is nutritionally sound, natural and inexpensive.

I was raised in a single parent home in a small town in Kansas of only 5,000 residents. I spent most of my summers on my Grandparents farm just outside of town. As a result, I learned to connect with food at a young age. I was also exposed to how food can communicate to others - you can tell a lot about how much money someone has by their food habits. I have several friends who thought leftovers were disgusting or who would look at you weird if you packed your lunch instead of paying for something in the school cafeteria. Even though convenience and eating out is put on a pedestal in this country, there is something about a home-cooked meal that holds its value and creates nostalgia in many people. Thanksgiving is a great example of this; so many enjoy it because they can't wait to eat that family recipe that's been passed down for generations. I believe that is because food also communicates love. Whether your Grandmother is in the kitchen or you are making something for yourself, food that is prepared with care and thought for those who are going to eat it evokes feelings of comfort, sincerity, happiness and love.

I want to share my love for home-cooked meals from scratch that are both healthy and easy on your budget. Not only did I grow up in an environment that was conducive to eating farm fresh food on a budget but I am also a new addition to the housewife club! I want to share my journey of maintaining a strict food budget while getting creative and learning new things in the process.

With Love,

Jess