The “locovore” movement (eating only locally produced food) can help you live a healthier lifestyle as well as support local growers. The 100-Mile Diet: A Year of Local Eating explores Vancouverites J.B. MacKinnon and Alisa Smith’s attempt to restrict their diet to foods grown within 100 miles of their residence. In their book, they point out an interesting fact,“According to the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, the food we eat now typically travels between 1,500 and 3,000 miles from farm to plate,”.Together, J.B. and Alisa decided that by purchasing local produce they will help to reduce the pollution generated in shipping food, be benefiting the environment as well as support biodiversity, what a great idea! To learn more about the authors as well as their book, click here.

    The 100 mile diet is a concept growing in popularity and its benefits are numerous for both the supplier and consumer. The Food Network recently aired a series hosted by J.B. and Alisa called “The 100 Mile Challenge” where an eager group of locals in Mission, BC volunteered to participate in the authors challenging diet. On the finale it was revealed that each participant lost weight (up to 40 lbs), felt healthier, and they all resolved to continue practising the ”locovore” concept (to a certain degree) in their everyday lives. To find more information about Food Networks 100 Mile Challenge, click here.