Eat Local Week Utah 2022: September 24th - October 1st

The Challenge is simple: eat as local as you can for 1 week. Challenge yourself by selecting one of three levels of “strictness” below!

Be creative, challenge yourself, and have fun!

Challenge Level: Hardcore

Think you are the epitome of a "locavore"? Find yourself feasting on local trout you caught or foraging Utah mountains? Then this Uber-strict challenge is for you.

This level will be a challenge - eating only food grown, raised, produced or caught within Utah boundaries (or within 250 miles). This means cutting out some vices that might seem difficult to most - like coffee, chocolate, olive oil or spices. Do a little more label reading and research, and you will have success! We believe in you!

Challenge Level: Local Lover

You may not be a hardcore locavore, but you try to support local food producers when possible. You shop at the local farmers market, and are familiar with the Utah's Own label. But - you aren't quite ready to give up your favorite non-local items. Its ok! This might be a more attainable challenge level for you - eating food grown, raised, produced, brewed, baked in Utah. 

For this challenge try supporting local food producers when possible. Buy a locally made hummus instead of Sabra (even though the chickpeas might not be Utah-grown), or support your favorite brewery by buying their craft beer instead of that case of Sierra Nevada. You can choose a couple food groups for the week that you commit to purchasing all locally - maybe all your fruits and veggies, or meats from local farmers. If you go out to eat support one of our delicious local restaurants, and extra locavore points if they buy from local farmers. This challenge is bound to help you increase your knowledge of local food producers, and you might even find some new favorite local products. 

Challenge Level: DIY

Local food? Is the whole concept a little new to you? Or, do you have a lifestyle that doesn't allow you to prepare three meals a day for the family? Don't fret! We know that any effort is HUGE! Even if you can't eat locally for every meal, we would love if you could dip your toe into the whole locavore thing by trying.

For newbies we suggest trying to eat one entirely local meal a day, or consider trying to use one or more local ingredient in every meal you eat for the week. Find something you eat a lot, maybe milk or tomatoes or a grain like wheat and replace your usual brand with a locally grown or raised product. Even small changes in your habits can have a huge impact on the producer, environment, economy, flavor, nutrients and you.

Keep Us Posted on Your Progress!

However you decide to challenge yourself - keep us posted on your progress, recipes, tips and local resources. Everyone loves a good food shot on Instagram. Let us know how you are doing, what you are having a hard time without, and what amazing replacements or products you are using while doing your challenge. Update us via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or email, and remember to use the hash tag #eatlocalutah and #eatlocalchallengeut so we can find you! And, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get some helpful tips, tricks and easy to make recipes from local locavores.