We started this site with the motive to make local eating practical. We advocate for a relaxed form. In fact, Michael does not even want to be called a locavore, feeling it implies extremism and asceticism. Don’t try to make yourself nuts eating behind some a pre-defined border, nor do not restrict yourself from foods that you need and love.

That said, my family does try to follow two principles. First, if we can find it locally, then we eat it locally. This means that we wait for local tomatoes to eat our tomatoes, but we’ll eat non-local bananas whenever we need. Second, we prefer the local. So, we will not avoid bananas or oranges, but if there is local fruit, we will go there first. Still, like I say, there is no more important rule that the, don’t make yourself nuts rule. This Spring, when citrus was running out and we were pretty tired of apples, we decided that California seedless grapes were so different anyways from our local grapes, that we got some.

Carrie, to this Local Family, the pleasure has come from the journey. Finding what works. Finding how to make it work. We came in mostly for taste and a sense of adventure, but over time, we have become committed to the environmental and communitarian reasons for local. Do what makes sense and I believe you will be just as pleased.