Following is the second in a series of six personal stories, complied by the Community Environmental Council of Santa Barbara, CA, and presented here at Ecology-Today in the hope of inspiring your own resolutions for a more eco-friendly New Year.

Living Happily on the 100-Mile Diet

by Eric Lohela

Where does my food come from? As a child, I remember asking my parents that question over the dinner table.  The answer was always the supermarket. Years later, after reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, I was inspired to ask myself the same question.  In fact, who grew my food and where, were questions I had never asked. Trader Joe’s and the Farmer’s Market were staples in my diet, but I was intrigued by the concept of being truly “local.”  A book titled the 100 Mile Diet was released, giving my idea a name.  One day I just stopped going to the grocery store for food.


That was 16 months ago.  Today I still buy 90%+ of my food grown within 100 miles of my house, and I am happier than ever.

With all the talk about calculating one’s personal carbon footprint, mine has indeed gone down.  My food travels less than 100 miles, versus hundreds or thousands to the supermarket.

That is not the only reason I’ve continued to eat locally.  Going “local” has meant weaving myself deeper into our beautiful community.   Things like when our winter rains appear have added significance.   I buy Organic or “no-spray” because I now know the farmers by name that would have to use and be exposed to those nasty chemicals. Protecting the rural and agricultural lands of the Gaviota Coast and Valley matters in a personal way now, because those lands help fill my tummy in addition to providing amazing views and wild habitat.

Questions I often get: Do you still eat out? Have you given up chocolate? Where do you buy olive oil and salt?  Yes, I still eat out. I often select one of the many restaurants that serve choices with local ingredients.  After five months I went back to fair trade chocolate – I love chocolate.  Some little things still come from the store.

The biggest challenges I have come across in feeding myself are the seasonality of produce, and finding staple foods.  I don’t sweat the details any more because my choices fit my lifestyle, not a “diet” — it’s supposed to be a fun!  Potatoes and beans have become common foods, while cereal for breakfast went good-bye.   Cheeses have stayed, but soymilk is out.

Not surprisingly, recipe books are sometime difficult to use, but I have found “relief” from the most reasonable of places: my farmers.  Tessa and Robert give me recipes for their beans, Joan for her squash, Alison for her Shitakes.  Suddenly, my food has new variety and flavors. My dollars support the farming community who in turn supports me on my tasty quest.  My “orange juice lady,” Rosa, notices when I miss market due to sickness and asks about my health.   You just simply don’t get that at Ralph’s.

Most days have not been as easy as going to the supermarket, but the benefits of making the conscious decision to buy locally more than make up for it.  My meals are no longer just food, but a celebration of my community.   Going local has made me healthier, happier, and a better Santa Barbaran.


Republished with permission of the Community Environmental Council Santa Barbara.