The 100 Mile Diet is the brainchild of Alison Smith and James Mackinnon of Vancouver, BC, who decided in Spring 2005 to spend the year eating only foods that have been grown within 100 miles from their home. Their experiment has set off a worldwide movement where people are confronting the alarming state of their food supply system and opting to eat locally for a global change.

We are a group of food and farm-loving folks from the Nanaimo region who were inspired by their effort. Concerned with the environmental, social, economic and health impact of our present food system, we decided to band together and a launch a 100 Mile Diet effort here in our own backyard.

We're challenging you to try the 100 Mile Diet for a week!

Actually the 100 mile range around Nanaimo includes all of Vancouver Island south of Campbell River, all the way to the west coast of the island, the southern Gulf Islands, out to the Sunshine Coast and past Agassiz on the mainland.

Don't worry, we won't hold it against ya! Just kidding. The original 100 Milers have a nifty map tool to help you figure out your 100 mile range.

This is the best part of the Challenge. You get to choose what your challenge is. Here are some suggestions:

• Buy 5-10 locally grown products where you would normally buy non-local. So instead of buying New Zealand apples that have been sitting in transport weeks, buy locally grown apples that have been picked at their peak.
• Host a 100 Mile Diet potluck. Have your friends and family bring a dish that uses their favorite locally grown foods.
• Include at least one locally grown food in each meal.
• Have one meal a day for a week that is made mostly or completely of locally grown products.
• Do your grocery shopping at a local farmer's market.
• Buy local free range eggs and poultry instead of factory ones.
• Learn about where your food comes from.
• Seek out local food producers. We have some of the best cheese, honey, meats and other yummy food products that are made of small local producers. Many of them use only local products.
• For products that aren't grown here at all, buy from local producers. Here's your excuse to gorge on some wonderful chocolate and excellent coffee. Many of the local coffee roasters also use fair-trade, organic beans that cost the same or less as corporate brands.
• Plant a winter vegetable garden. It's just the right time to be planting those seeds and seedlings for a winter garden. The best thing about winter gardening is that there are no pests or weeds to worry about. The bad thing is that you'll end up with more kale, beets and brussell sprouts than you will know what to do with. All in all, not such a bad thing.
• Visit a farm. Call first. You wouldn't want to catch Farmer John in his bathrobe!
• Spread the word. Challenge your co-workers, friends and family to take up the 100 Mile Diet for a week. Trade recipes. See who has the best recipe for your favorite local products.
• Go out and explore the wonderful bounty that our beautiful island provides.
• Go full out and follow the 100 Mile Diet criteria for everything you eat!

We're encouraging everyone to tell us what they're doing for the 100 Mile Diet Challenge Week, to share recipes using their favorite products and tell us what new and exciting new local products they discovered. Just go to the Comments page and leave us a note. And while you're there, read what other 100 Milers are doing.

How much time do you have? I'll put the kettle on...

Here's some reasons to eat more local products:

• It promotes a more environmentally sustainable food system. According to 100milediet.org, a study in Iowa found that a regional diet consumed 17 times less oil and gas than a typical diet based on food shipped across the country. Big agro-corporations also tend to use huge amounts of pesticides and other chemicals that end up in the groundwater.
• It helps local farmers and the local economy. The money that you spend on produce at a local farm tends to stay in the local economy.
• By eating seasonally and locally, you can be part of a more balanced food culture. Reconnect with food and embrace the joy of having a real meal at the dinner table.
• Local products offer more variety. Instead of growing the same limited and shrinking variety of fruits and vegetables, local farmers can grow a wider range of produce including heirloom and specialty items. You'll find produce and varieties that agro-corporations won't grow because it doesn't line their pockets with enough money.
• It ensures a more stable and reliable food source. Food security is a big issue here. If you haven't noticed, we live on an island, which means that if we're not growing it here anymore, that means we're dependent on someone else to grow it and bring it over here. We have become dependent on others to make sure than there is a ready and sufficient food supply for us.
• Have a better idea of what you're eating. What pesticides and herbicides were used? Is that tomato a GMO? Was your chicken raised free-ranged or in cage? A local farmer will be happy to talk to you about their crop.
• It promotes more whole foods and less processed foods.
• It helps re-establish the relationship between food producers and food consumers. Have you hugged a farmer today?
• It tastes better and is better for you. The longer produce takes to get from the farm to your plate, the more it degrades and loses it's nutritional value. Also, most fruits are picked green and left to ripen while they take that long trip over 1500 miles to get to you. Either that or they gas them to make them look ripe. How appetizing is that?

That's why they created farmers markets. Some grocery stores are already labeling BC Grown products and many retailers carry locally produced food items. Check out our links page. There you'll find links to farmer's markets, local farms and other useful information.

Just pop over to our comments page and tell us what you're pledging to do for your 100 Mile Diet Challenge Week. Then start on your 100 Mile Diet Journey!

Happy Eating!

Check out 'CRAVE', our daily blog, for more 100 Mile Diet ideas and information.