Yesterday, while I was at our annual NEMAG (North East Michigan Artists Guild) picnic in Posen, MI - a major challenge was hatched in Alcona County.  Rich's cousin Michael, a culinary adventurer, decided to concoct a 'locavore's challenge' and make dinner with only local foods.  He has friends visiting and if you know Michael, he is the most entertaining, exceptional host along with his wife Meiko.   As a point of reference, Wikipedia states "Those who are interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market, are called "locavores."

Michael and his newly crowned locavores started out in Harrisville at our farm for fresh brown eggs and transparent apples.  He invited Rich and me to dinner explaining his mission to gather only local ingredients for supper and to pick up my bike for a future adventure with his houseguests.  His next stop was Cedarbrook Trout Farm where his friend Dean caught trout and Cedarbrook owner - Cousin Jerry - filleted it.  The locavores picked rubbarb, green beans and potatoes in Jerry's home garden then continued on down the road to the Kennedy/Kutzera farm on Lakeshore drive.  Here Meiko and Paula, Dean's wife, picked more rhubarb and zucchini squash to make a pie and a side dish.  They continued on to Nicholson Road in Spruce and stopped at an Amish farm stand for fresh raspberries.

Armed with local food, Michael and his guests returned to his homestead in Greenbush to survey their prized ingredients.  Needless to say, this had the makings of a spectacular, fresh, healthy meal.

I arrived home and was informed we were invited to dinner at Michael & Meiko's.  There was no mention of the challenge. 

We arrived at the Kahn house to find new and old friends, great food and the most spectacular fresh meal...all in the ground, on a tree, bush or alive just three hours before.  They clued me in on the challenge and shared their adventures of gathering the local ingredients.  Michael should have been an actor...seriously, I wish I had my camera running for the entire dinner.   He is the most passionate about food, art and 'Naming Your Own Price' on Priceline.  A passion we both share.

If you haven't tasted potatoes or green beans fresh out of the ground...run to the nearest farm or farmer's market.   The potatoes were light, sweet and tender - not the dense, gummy, starchy rocks found in the grocery store.  The trout - flavorful, tender and gently broiled with Meiko's special sauce.  The zucchini was sweet, moist, tender and buttery.  I don't even like zucchini!

With wine flowing and the conversation whipping in all directions...the challenge was met.  Did I forget to mention the pie?   Fresh strawberries, rhubarb from two different farms, our transparent apples and a crust that tasted like shortbread. We were offered our choice of fresh whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream or both!

So here's my challenge to you:  Can you eat locally for the rest of the summer or even a week - celebrating the bounty of local food?  Is there a farmer or neighbor you can cozy up to - maybe trade services, products or labor for food?   Or if you have a garden share your food sources and help your community eat locally? 

In our rural neighborhood, people leave fresh picked bounty tied to the doorknob if you're not home!  In my house - that's tonight's dinner.

Read this great article in the N.Y. Times about a locavore's challenge in Virginia: 

Local Food Has Been No Easy Sell in Appalachia