100 Mile Diet

100 Mile Diet

Three years ago Alisa Smith and James Mackinnon learned of an unsettling fact; the ingredients of an average American meal travel at least 1,500 miles before arriving at their destination.   That spring they decided that they would only eat food that came within 100 miles of their home.   This lifestyle became known as the 100-mile-diet.
Hello, my name is Mackenzie Moore and I am representing the Cobleskill-Richmondville FFA chapter.
Alisa and James started the 100-mile-diet because they wanted to know exactly where their food came from.   They believed that by eating locally they could help their economy.  
Most processed foods are not as healthy as fresh, naturally occurring foods.   With the 100 mile restriction, Alisa
When first starting their diet Alisa and James didn’t see how hard finding food was going to be.   Since they were living in Vancouver, British Columbia, they could no longer have citrus fruits, chocolate, teas and coffee.   Most things bought in stores are already prepared and ready to eat.   These things include bread, pasta and cheese.   So, not only did they have to find locally grown food they also had to learn how to make all their foods from scratch.
Finding farmers was the biggest problem for their diet.   Most farmers today specialize in one specific area such as dairy or corn production.   Alisa and James had to go out into their community and meet people that could provide them food.   By doing this they met new people every day and started to feel a strong sense of community.   The main staple in their diet became potatoes.   They could grow their own potatoes, not having to rely on a farmer.