My Penny-Wise Eat Local Challenge

It's Penny-Wise Eat Local Challenge time over at the Eat Local Challenge blog.  Below, please find my personal statement for the challenge.  I can't wait to see how I do!

1.  What's your definition of local for this challenge?

I will be using a 100-mile radius for most things.   When I travel at the end of the week, my 100-mile radius will be 100 miles from the place where I am staying.  I will be staying with another eat local challenge participant, so we'll be able to put our heads together!

2.  What exemptions will you claim?

I will have an exemption for coffee.  I will be using the "Marco Polo" rule when necessary for spices: salt and dried spices that sailors could carry in their pocket for 6 months at sea including baking soda, baking powder, and yeast.  I will be getting my rice from Massa Organics that is near Ukiah because it's the rice farm I most want to support even though it is a bit out of my radius. 

When I travel at the end of the week, I may bring a few items from home that are sourced local to here.  Any exemptions I claim will be included in my final budget amounts for the week.

Due to a pre-planned (and worthy) dinner obligation toward the end of the week, I am going to be starting my challenge on the evening of 4/22 and then taking the evening of 4/26 off from the challenge.

Taking a line from a previous eat local challenge, I will not refuse things offered to me in friendship or love when it would be awkward, recognizing that personal relationships take priority over my own personal challenge.

3.  Will you be making any changes to our budget goals?

I will be using the 1 person in the family, one wage earner: $68 a week budget.  I will be adding the $8/week alcoholic beverages budget.  When I am cooking for others, I will add $6 per person to my budget.

4.  Do you have any additional personal goals for the week? 

My main goal for this week is not to make major diet changes in order to win the game.  Rather, I would like to have a true catalog of how well I can eat on the budget of an average American.

Comments

[sam]

Congratulations on your Chron mention, Jen. You know I am fascinated by this challenge although I actually wont be able to take part myself next week. Another week, maybe. Though I must admit I am intrigued by the $8 for a week of alcohol. That would barely last me a glass.