Beth Skwarecki

I've posted before about local food (summary: I think it's a good idea). Here's a local food project probably anyone can do: One Local Summer. Each week (or however often you like), make and eat one meal whose ingredients are local. To quote the original post, "Don’t fret over salt, spices or condiments. Focus your efforts on produce, dairy, eggs, meat and grains."

July is an excellent time to do this in the northern hemisphere - and I feel especially lucky to be doing it here in Ithaca. In just this past week I've bought local corn, green beans, snow peas, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, cherries, blueberries, and chicken. Meanwhile, I'm happy to report that my garden has produced its first bean pod! (I haven't seen it yet. Chris brought me the good news. "It's purple!" he exclaimed. That's a royal burgundy bean. These plants have purple pods and, as I already know, purple shells around their white flowers.)

So, try a local meal this week. Or if that sounds too daunting, make a trip to a local farmstand or market and find one local food item you'd like to eat. Too easy? make it two. You get the idea.