Could you be a "locavore"?

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9:16 PM Thu, Jul 17, 2008 | Permalink

What in the world is a locavore? I have to admit the first time I heard the word was when I read it in our newscast Thursday night.
A locavore is someone who, according to Wikipedia "eats food grown that is produced locally or within a certain radius." That's led some people to call the practice the "100 mile diet." But, here in Kentuckiana we only have to travel a few miles from our homes to find several farmer's markets that have done most of the work for us.
In Kentuckiana we are very fortunate to have many farmers who sell their produce and products direct to the public.
I visited one of my very favorites Thursday night. If you haven't been to the farmers market to the Temple on Brownsboro Rd., you are missing a real treat. Tables at the market are laden with apple, peaches, corn and squash. There are rows of peppers and black berries alongside cantaloupe, lettuce and beans. All of that is grown locally, most of it in Southern Indiana. Its distribution is coordinated by Annette Alford who is very enthusiastic about this decade-long venture.
The Temple market isn't the biggest market in town but the selection and the atmosphere are delightful. On this night, several chefs from some of Louisville's most well-known restaurant (Winston's, Park Place, Juleps, Irish Rover) were cooking up the Kentucky-raised cuisine that included organic chicken and beef.
The Temple market is open for business next to Lime Kiln Ln. Monday's and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Annette tells me hundreds of people are there to buy produce each night. But, that's not all.
Something else I like about Louisville's farmer's markets is the light-hearted atmosphere. Kids are eating watermelon, people are sampling the dishes from chefs and others are looking over the incredibly beautiful flower bouquets. The flowers at the Temple market are grown by John Klueh and his wife Tammy Ford. Their farm in Leopold, Indiana is called "Perennial Favorites." The lilies, lisianthus, delphinium and daisies are luscious.
The locavore movement claims local produce is more nutritious and tastes better. I can testify that the white peach I was given to sample was delicious with a sweet, sticky juice that ran all over my hands. As we say here in Kentucky, "finger licking good." You can see my purchases on this page.

Flowers from Perennial Favorites

Peaches and blackberries from Temple Market
I know eating totally locally produced food might be a little challenging. So, here it is - my challenge to you. Let's see how much of a locavore we can be. Let me know how many locally grown products you can find and substitute for items that are shipped in. Put your comments right here. Tell me about your favorite farmers markets and your success in becoming a locavore.