Rhode Island 100 mile

…August has been very good to us so far. Our tomatoes have been ripening at a steady rate- we get 2-3 larger tomatoes and a couple of handfulls of cherry tomatoes a day, so we’ve been getting our supply of lycopene with every meal. The markets have been increasing their stock, also…melons of all kinds (we’ve been buying yellow watermelons which are incedible!) are now available, along with plums, peaches and very early macintosh apples…so this is a good month to try out the 100 mile challenge if you were thinking about doing it!

This post is for Matt – no, Boston Market is NOT part of the 100 mile diet. Though maybe they get some of their squash locally!

Speaking of chicken and another of Matt’s questions – I’ve started to re-evaluate the cost of the 100 mile diet. We had mentioned in an earlier post that we were not spending much more than normal (which we haven’t been). We are spending about the same amount as we were prior to 100 miles but we are buying less food. An example is the chicken. We used to buy a package of chicken thighs and it cost ~$1.60 per pound. The chicken we buy now (free-range) is always a whole chicken and it costs $4 per pound. Josh and I try (and are successful for the most part) in getting 8-10 meals out of a 5 pound chicken – not including the bones for stock.

In spite of all of this, we are still enjoying the challenge – though in August with all the variety I’m not sure I can call it a challenge! The producers we have gotten to know better, the stores we have discovered, and the surprising products (locally produced salt!! Can’t wait to try it!) – it’s all been worth it!

Josh and I made it through the original challenge – one month eating foods grown, produced, processed within 100 miles. The only time we went outside the rules was when we were camping – I would say the sour cream and onion potato chips were the most satisfying cheat. We’ve enjoyed the last few weeks at our farmers’ markets because of all the variety. This variety has actually spurred Josh and I to continue the 100 mile challenge for another month. Today, I went with my mom to the Hope Street farmers’ market while Josh and my dad put sheetrock up in the basement. I bought 3 quarts of yogurt, ricotta (actually mom got this for us), white and yellow peaches, corn, a bag of mixed lettuce, nectarines, and country-style ribs. Josh picked up two melons, peppers, potatoes, and more squash blossoms at yesterday’s market.
So we’ll be continuing with the challenge as well as the blog – though not everyday. We’ll be blogging a few times a week – the pictures should be pretty colorful as we’ll have lots more goodies to choose from!