My 100-Day Local Food Journey: How Eating Within 100 Miles Changed My Relationship with Food
- Loretta Friedrich
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 30
I survived 100 days of eating like a locavore, and now I can't stop! My summer challenge created a decade-long obsession with local food that might just inspire your own delicious adventure.
The taste of a just-picked tomato, still warm from the summer sun. The earthy scent of freshly harvested potatoes. The vibrant colours of produce that hadn't travelled thousands of kilometres to reach my kitchen. These sensory memories remain vivid from the summer of 2015, when I embarked on what would become a life-changing challenge: to include at least one food item from within 100 miles in my meals, every single day, for 100 days.
How It All Began
I had been quietly nurturing this idea since reading Barbara Kingsolver's transformative book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Her family's year-long commitment to eating locally resonated deeply with me, but it wasn't until the spring of 2015 that I found my moment to act.
At the time, I had been creating monthly health challenges for myself and my community. It began with "STEPtember" (borrowed from the Cerebral Palsy Association), followed by "WALKtober," "MOVEember," and "DOcember." These themes helped us focus on movement and wellness in manageable monthly increments.
When June approached, I found myself searching for a new theme. That's when inspiration struck—why not combine June, July, and August (plus a bit of September) into one extended challenge centered around local food? So, SumMILEer100 was born: Summer with "MILE" in the middle, ending with "100" to represent both the 100-mile radius and the 100-day commitment.
The Challenge in Action
Starting June 1st and ending September 8th, I committed to incorporating at least one locally-sourced ingredient into my daily meals. Living in Canada meant adapting to our unique growing seasons and discovering what was truly available in my region.
Early summer on the prairies brought tender asparagus and radishes, followed by an explosion of berries and greens. By mid-summer, I was revelling in the abundance of local tomatoes, zucchini, and herbs. Each week brought new possibilities as I visited farmers' markets and discovered small producers I hadn't known existed before.
How It Changed Me
What began as a 100-day experiment evolved into a permanent shift in how I approach food and wellness. I discovered that eating locally wasn't just about supporting nearby farmers, though that remains important to me. It was about developing a more holistic relationship with my food:
Heightened awareness: I became acutely conscious of seasons and growing cycles, which connected me more deeply to the natural world around me.
Creative cooking: Working with what was available locally forced me to experiment with new recipes and techniques, expanding my culinary repertoire.
Community connections: I developed relationships with farmers and producers, learning their stories and gaining appreciation for their work.
Reduced waste: When you know the labour behind your food, you're less likely to let it spoil. I found myself using every last herb sprig and vegetable scrap.
Over that challenge, I documented more than 200 food entries on social media, with around 85% receiving enthusiastic approval from both myself and my family. The process validated my emerging food philosophy and reminded me of the food culture I'd grown up with—one where knowing your food's origins was simply a bit easier, and the way things were done.
Recipes From My Journey
To celebrate a decade of advocating for local food, I'm currently compiling my favourite meals and drinks from the past ten years, revisiting and recreating dishes that made the biggest impact. These dishes represent both the challenge and joy of cooking with what's available close to home.
The process has been a delicious reminder of why this journey matters.
Your Own Local Food Story
What began as a summer challenge has become central to my wellness philosophy. Eating locally isn't just about nutrition—it's about connecting to our communities, supporting sustainable agriculture, and developing a more mindful relationship with what nourishes us.
This isn't about perfection. Even during my challenge, I never reached 100% local consumption. It's about making conscious choices when possible and understanding the impact of those choices on our bodies, communities, and planet.
What's your local food story? Have you ever considered where your food comes from, how far it travels, or who grows it? Even small steps—like visiting a farmers market or choosing one local ingredient each week—can begin a transformative journey.
If you're inspired to explore your own relationship with local food and holistic wellness, I invite you to connect with me. Subscribe to my newsletter for seasonal recipes and wellness tips, follow my continuing food journey on social media, or check out my book for a deeper exploration of food as a pathway to holistic health.
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