Our purpose in organizing a Winter Localvore Challenge was to help generate awareness around the importance of locating/fostering local food availaibility during the winter months, and, in particular, encourage people to begin thinking about the development of root cellars, greenhouses, and re-learning skills for putting food by. This understanding is crucial to furthering our purpose of promoting greater food sustainability in our region.

 

The Winter Challenge was much more daunting than our August Challenge because we didn't have our blooming gardens, weekly CSA share deliveries, or the weekly Farmers' Markets to rely on for the foods we would need.

Our POS Localvore group for the winter challenge consisted of approximately 30 people who came together to buy items in bulk, swap and share food, share information and recipes, and gather at pot luck dinners during 7-13 January. The consensus amongst all concerned was that we ate well, were resourceful in tracing down local food, and had a great time doing the Challenge!