July is done, but I'm not!

Hey all!

Like Jennifer, I had trouble sticking as strictly to the 100 Mile rules as possible, but this project really has opened my eyes to how much wonderful produce and food is available at our fingertips living here. I check all my labels now without realizing it, and have discovered that local, organic berries and fruit TASTE SO MUCH BETTER than non-organic drab California pesticide party fruits and veg (strawberries, I'm lookin' at you.) And I also made jam for the first time! True, it was just freezer jam, but it's seriously to die for, and I have enough to last me into the next couple of months if I can slow down on the stuff.


I also am psyched to be learning more about sustainable seafood and more about that industry in generally, which I definitely would not have been motivated to look into otherwise. In fact, on that same note, I just received an email back today from Oceans Fisheries who I wrote to at some point last month when I asked where they source their tuna. They pack locally here in Vancouver, but I realized that doesn't mean the fish themselves are from here, and I was correct in wondering in this case. Check it out:

Our canned Tuna is sourced from Southeast Asia. In particular Thailand and the Philippines which are known for their quality and supply most of North America.

Most of our tuna is sourced from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

At Ocean's we study the different species of tuna and have our suppliers source our raw material from the most sustainable fisheries available.

Good to know! Anyway, I'm going to keep going with looking locally first, and if I find something crazy, I'll be sure to let you all know!

signing off

Well, July is coming to a close, and even sooner for me, as we'll be heading out of town in the morning. I've had a lot of fun this month, and I know I've learned things that will stay with me from now on. A few things I regret:

1. I didn't post as much here on the blog as I could/should have. Aside from the food challenge, July turned out to be a little bit of a whirlwind around here, and blogging fell by the wayside. I've decided to keep the blog open so we can continue posting any useful/interesting bits that come our way.
2. About a week ago, some contraband started to trickle back into my life. Namely coffee. I had begun to have dreams of feverishly busting down the doors at JJ Bean and drinking myself into a paranoid stupor. It scared me. I caved. I'm sorry.
3. I didn't do nearly as much as I had hoped. Didn't get to the island. Didn't hunt down chicory. Didn't even pick berries! I have yet to experience many local food adventures.

I'd really love to hear how things went for everyone else, if you have the time to share! In the meantime, THANK YOU for taking part and inspiring/motivating me! I know some pretty great people.

vino

Over the weekend, my mom and I stopped by River's Bend Winery in South Surrey, about 10 kilometres from my apartment. They grow grapes right on the property, which are used to make about half of the wines they make. The others are all BC grapes, mostly from the Okanagan. If you've perused the BC Liquor Store shelves for 100% BC wines, you've likely noticed that there aren't many! Most use a combination of BC and California grapes. River's Bend has received a VQA stamp on several of their wines, and the most expensive bottle is under 25 bucks!


I could hardly contain my disbelief as we pulled up to the enormous grape fields just moments away from the typical suburban intersection featuring Tim Horton's and Subway. We entered the small building through a heavy, armoured metal door, the only inhospitable (though probably essential) feature on the property. There were several guests, including Japanese tourists, partaking in a boisterous - and free - tasting, offered by a warm, talkative employee. My mom and I, empty stomachs and toddler in tow, decided to try only a couple of wines - grown on property, of course! I'd be a complete phony if I started talking to you about varietals and nose and pairings and such, but I have tried a variety of wines in my day. All I really know is that I like my whites light and crisp, and my reds bold. We tried their Syrah (2006), which was definitely bold, as well as woody and smoky. Scarlet (2006) was a lighter red, especially refreshing on that hot Saturday. We followed with Flaxen (2007), a clean white that had a bit of a peachy aftertaste (yes, we tasted in backwards order). Our hostess insisted we try the dessert wine as well - not usually my taste - but it was surprisingly light instead of sickeningly sweet. We each bought a bottle of the Flaxen ($15), and knew that we'd definitely be back! This is exactly the kind of experience I had hoped this month would bring.


A few weeks ago, we also visited Wellbrook Winery in Delta, about 12 kilometres from home. I forgot my camera that day, but the property is just beautiful. They offer a wide selection of fruit wines, which they tell me are all grown either on property, or elsewhere in the Lower Mainland. This is also the home of Bremner's juices, and (most of you probably already know this) they host many Delta Arts Council and other events throughout the year. The tasting was also free, and after trying a couple, we left with a bottle of Cranberry and a bottle of Blackberry wine (all wines are $12.50). We shared them with friends that evening, all of whom seemed well pleased! I think I had been expecting alcoholic juice, but it was much lighter and fresher than that. I look forward to trying the Blueberry wine, as well as the not-yet-released Rhubarb wine! Yummy.

long haul vs. good haul

As we all know, a big goal of eating local food is to lighten our impact on the planet, yet a big criticism of the 100-mile movement has been that in order to find local food, you have to travel. It's something I've really been feeling this week! Not that we've been driving hundreds of kilometres, but the closest farmers market and Choices are still a good 15-minute drive, 30 or more on transit. I have a produce market and grocery store within very short walking distance, neither of which carry much, if any, identifiably local food. I don't know a thing about trade and economics, but at the very least, if it's grown here and in season, shouldn't we have the option to buy it here? We have great farms in our 100-mile radius, plus the Okanagan Valley just slightly outside; save the California fruit for the folks who can't grow their own!

Don't get me wrong! We've been enjoying the challenge, with meeting some growers, learning about our surroundings, and tasting the delicious food and drinks that come with it. (Especially since I don't usually cook with animal products. Cheeeeese...mmmmm...)

I guess it just has me wondering about what happens next. Do I write to the supermarket chains and ask why they don't sell local goods (or at least give me a clue as to where the stuff really does come from)? Do I resign myself and come to terms with the way things are? Do I buy a better bike so I can make the longer trips without using gas? Yeah, I know; the guidelines for local living are already out there. I just hate that, at least where I live, if I have to run out for a couple of ingredients for dinner, they're all but guaranteed to be imported.

Maybe I'm just grumpy. I miss coffee.

One week down...how is everyone feeling?

the secrets of salmon

I was so excited for tonight's meal. Everything would be local and also very delicious. I had purchased salmon that from the outward appearance was within 100 miles of where I lived. The sides were going to be fresh roasted potato wedges and a garden salad.
As I was prepping the salmon I turned the packaging over and started reading the fine print at the bottom. I read a lot more labels ever since reading the omnivore's dilemma. Anyways I discovered that 1. my salmon was from Alaska not BC
and 2. that it was a product of CHINA!
So my supposed very wonderful salmon from BC was now shipped to China to be processed! My husband and I both felt deceived.
I have a feeling that as I continue this 100 mile journey I am going to discover more products like this. They say one thing and then in all reality are from somewhere else. I still ate the salmon but it was not as satisfying knowing that I was eating something that was packaged far far away.

Traceability

For those who are fish-eaters, I found something pretty cool about a local seafood company, 7 Seas. While many of the products they carry aren't harvested within 100 miles, their wild albacore tuna is from around Vancouver island and down to Washington when it's in season. And oh my goodness, it is tasty.

Their big focus is sustainability, and they've been involved in some efforts to eliminate traditionally farmed prawns because of the effects of the farming on the flora in the areas, and because of the chemical content. They aim to have chemical-free, natural seafood that they process locally in Richmond.

What I found awesome and unique about this company is that on the label of any product you buy, they provide a lot number and you can go online where they are in the works of having a field you can type the number in to find out exactly where that particular product was sourced. This makes it a lot easier to eat locally, as I'm sure you all have gone crazy with label-reading like I have, been frustrated with lack of specificity of the term "grown in BC" and found yourself cursing "BUT WHERE in BC!!!!" at vegetables as other shoppers give you strange glances.

I really appreciate this ability to trace your food to have a better connection to what you choose- and it forces you think about the fact that food (meat especially) doesn't just magically appear all sliced and sealed on styrofoam in your grocery store. It makes me value the meat I do eat, and I have more respect for it (if that's the right way of phrasing) and choose meat-free options more often. I think it's important for all meat-consumers to be aware of what exactly is involved in getting that meat to the plate.

chapatis!

If you're like me and my little family, the thought of a whole month with no breads is not a happy one. We do have the local flour, but yeast is outside the 100-mile zone (although I've heard you can make your own? Must learn more about this). This afternoon I tried making chapatis - an Indian flatbread similar to roti - and it was both ridiculously simple and satisfyingly bready. All it takes is flour, water, and a little salt*, which is optional. We've now got a stock of them in the freezer, ready to grab when desperation strikes, and I have a feeling I'll be refilling often. I really recommend it!

1 day down!