How to eat local this Thanksgiving

The Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition has launched an “Eat Local For the Holidays” campaign to let people in the Kansas City metro know about where they can find and buy locally sourced produce and meat.

“The holidays are a perfect time to add another dimension to how we think about food because we are already making thoughtful food purchases,” says Gretchen Kunkel, president of KC Healthy Kids and a member of the GKCFPC. “By adding just one locally grown item to your holiday meal, you can begin to make a difference in the strength of our local food system.”

As part of the campaign, the KC Healthy Kids Web site has a list of what’s in season, what’s available and the stores and farmer’s markets that are selling local and organic produce. A number of indoor farmer’s markets are still open.

It would be possible for everything that’s on your table (with the exception of cranberry sauce) to have come from within 100 miles of Kansas City. There is also a collection of restaurants that use locally sourced meat and produce.

And as long as you’re trying to shop local, here’s one additional suggestion for this holiday season. That’s right, it’s the bacon explosion. You can now buy it in Olathe at the Kansas City Barbecue Store. So, remember. Buy local and buy bacon.  

[Image via Flickr: Robb North]