Eating From Florida 90 Day Challenge
| April 11, 2012 | Posted by Kechia under Agriculture, Cooking, Farms, Produce |
Two Florida women are up for a challenge –for three months, everything that they eat must come from their home state of Florida, beginning on the first day of spring. The two women, Trish Strawn and Rebecca Reis-Miller, have been active participants in the local food movement and agriculture for nearly a decade. Strawn is a 5th generation rancher, with expertise in grass-fed beef and lamb production and the current Chair for the Florida Food Policy Council. Reis-Miller co-founded and led Slow Food Orlando, Central Florida’s sustainable food advocacy group for four years. Last year, the duo decided to take their commitment to local food to the next level and begin their small consultation and distribution company for small farms called Growing Synergy. The company has created a niche, specifically focused on proteins from small Florida farms and ranches including beef, lamb, veal, poultry, dairy, pork and even gator. Rather than focus on a single distribution channel, the company provides access to consumers, health food stores, hotels, food trucks and restaurants alike. Locations include health food stores like Living Waters in Ormond Beach and DeLand Natural Bakery in DeLand, Florida, and the food truck Big Wheel Provisions. Restaurants include The Table, K Restaurant, Ritz-Carlton Orlando and Norman’s in Orlando, Graze at Harmony Golf Preserve, 3030 Ocean and Market 17 in Fort Lauderdale, Altamare in Miami Beach, and Pearl in the Grove in Dade City, Whistle Stop in Safety Harbor, Sideberns in Tampa, just to name a few.
The two believe that Florida has much to offer in the way of local food, and feel that if they lead by example more consumers and businesses will be receptive to increase their spending with small farmers. University of Florida/IFAS reports that there are approximately 47,000 small farms in Florida. Strawn’s focus with the Florida Food Policy Council is to complete an impact study that will show Florida constituents just how much of an impact their dollars will have on small farms.
Strawn and Reis-Miller already have a list of farms, restaurants and consumers lined up for support. The Table in Orlando has agreed to host a closing dinner on June 20, 2012 (to make a reservation and have dinner with Strawn and Reis-Miller please book here). Other participating restaurants include Pearl in the Grove in Dade City, Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Lake Nona Deli and Market and 3030 Ocean.
Heart of Christmas and Pure Produce are creating boxes of salads and vegetables for families to get involved also.
The challenge will be taking place March 20-June 19, 2012. All of the food that the women eat will come from farms in the state of Florida. The restrictions include that they may eat locally produced artisan foods that may or may not include locally source raw ingredients.
Follow their journey, Eating From Florida 90 Day Food Challenge on Facebook at “Growing Synergy” or on their website at www.GrowingSynergy.com.
Source: Growing Synergy Press Release
