Is It Possible to Eat Only Local Food on a Budget?

How I’m challenging myself to support my local food producers this summer and the rules I’ll be following

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Between June and August, I’m challenging myself to eat only locally produced (and procured) food while maintaining my current grocery, takeout, and coffee/alcohol budget.

With a few exceptions, I’ll only consume items grown or made within 150 km of Canada’s National Capital Region (NCR). On top of this, I’m on a budget. I don’t want to spend more than $200 on groceries, $50 on takeout, and $50 on coffee/alcohol a month. Altogether, my maximum food budget is $300. And honestly, I’m hoping to be able to spend less.

Here are the parameters:

• Food already in my house does not count
• 3–5 pantry items per month may be purchased from local stores
• Prepared foods from local businesses count
• Meals at my parent's house do not count
• Cat food does not count
• Work cafeteria does not count

Food already in my house does not count

I’m not wasting food. I currently have a well-stocked spice drawer, an assortment of dried beans…