Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. – W.J. Cameron

I have an interesting and “tasteful” challenge for you. This Thanksgiving eat as many foods grown close to our home as possible. Last year, 25 people from the area and all over the nation, gathered together to take place in the first annual 100-mile Thanksgiving. Their challenge was to eat foods grown within a hundred miles.

There are many reasons to give this a try. First off, did you know that most of the food that we buy at our local grocery store travels an average of 1500 miles to get to us? Yup, 1500 miles – unbelievable, but true. In fact, Americans consume 400 gallons of oil per person, per year, to get their food shipped to them. Then figure into the equation the fuel to run the farm equipment, the petroleum in synthetic fertilizers, milling, sorting, baking, preparing, packaging, warehousing, and refrigeration and you’ve got way more energy calories going into the food than we’ll ever get out. It is truly amazing if you think about it all. The world has become separated from their food.

No one knows, for the most part, where their food comes from. If every person in the United States ate just one meal a week from local and organic foods, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by 1.1 millions barrels, not gallons, a week! That goes to show you that making small changes in buying and eating habits can really make a difference. Helping our nation become less dependant on fossil fuels can begin with giving thanks.

Another very good reason to eat local foods strikes close to my heart – as a “foodie,” everything tastes better. You’ll know this to be true when you eat mashed potatoes made with Kingfisher Farms organic potatoes. They are absolute Nirvana, seriously! Eating local foods will also introduce you to where your food is grown and to new varieties of food that aren’t normally in the supermarket. The way our food is shipped around the world right now has caused different varieties, that used to be grown for flavor but didn’t ship well, to be eliminated from our markets. Usually we have perhaps four varieties of potatoes to choose from but there are over 550 types that are grown. Our industrialized food sources have narrowed our choices and flavors. Due to this, some varieties of fruits and vegetables have become extinct. Eating close to home not only reduces the country’s energy use and supports our small farmers but takes foods off the endangered list.

I’ve made things a bit easier for you by compiling places to get your locally grown Thanksgiving foods.

Turkeys

? OK Ranch and Retreat run by Mary and Douglas Lee. 503-322-3546

We are very lucky to have home grown turkeys close to us, in Bay City, for our eating pleasure. They also have beef, pork, chicken and eggs. All their animals are “pasturized” meaning they have been raised free range. Call and order your turkey.

Lamb, Pork, Chicken, Beef

? Lance’s Beef farmed by Lance Waldron and Tammi Lesh. 503-322-2226

Lance and Tammi raise free range, grass-fed lamb, beef, pork, chicken and when they have them, divine eggs. Their chickens are huge and extremely tasty! Raised right in our valley, up the Miami-Foley.

Honey

? Planeterry Honey by Terry Fullan. 503-368-7160

Now here is a man that loves his bees! Terry could talk all day about his passion and it shows in his sparkling, golden honey. It is the only honey I buy anymore. Once you taste the love, you can never go back.

Organic Produce

? Kingfisher Farms run by Jeff Ternary. 503-368-6763

Here’s the place to get those amazing potatoes I was telling you about. Kingfisher Farms also has tasty salad greens, brazing mix, HUGE sweet onions and other fine produce. You can buy his products at Mother Nature’s and at Manzanita Fresh Foods in Manzanita.

? Mother Nature’s Natural Food Store. 503-368-5316

This little community store is a powerhouse for goodness. They have a large selection of great local produce. Most of their produce comes from Kingfisher Farms and Willamette Valley farms. They will be carrying Cinderella pumpkins from Newburg, and other locally grown squash as well. Cinderella Pumpkins are the latest rage in pie pumpkins. They are large flat guys that look right out of a

story book.

Bread and Grains

? Bread and Ocean Bakery, Manzanita. 503-368-5823

If you haven’t discovered this jewel yet, your in for a treat! The owner, Julie Barker, tries to use as many organic and local foods as possible. Even though she uses grains from elsewhere by buying locally you cut shipping fuels and get the best bread in the world.? Good deal huh? She also will have bread cubes and homemade rolls for Thanksgiving.

? Bob’s Red Mill Products

Bob and his mill have been bringing us fine grain products for many years. Their white whole wheat flour is made partially from Oregon wheat. The hazelnuts and blueberry products they carry are also Oregon grown. The mill is located in Portland so that helps eliminate some of those fossil fuels. You can buy his products from Mother Nature’s and Manzanita Deli.

Cheese: Tillamook Cheese

This one was easy! Our very own Tillamook Cheese and dairy products available at all our local grocery stores.

What better way to give thanks to the Earth than to eat locally. Thanksgiving is a word of action and we can all vote with our taste buds. Email me with any stories of your 100-mile Thanksgivings at Thank you!