Dale's 100 ft. Diet Challenge --- 100 miles just seems way too far :)

I never want to ever hear the words "100 mile diet" again, unless it's in the context of how I've beaten the idea to a pulp. I've met a number of people who are fixated on the distance that their food has traveled but not on how it is grown. The petroleum used to bring food to market seems to be the chief concern. But if somebody 5 miles away poisons the land and food, it's acceptable. Sometimes they drive out to distant farms to pick up a few pounds of stuff.
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My diet challenge. I plan to live for one month, while only eating food that comes from within 100 ft. of a given spot on my property. Naturally, this spot will be in or beside the garden. It will also be within that distance from a pond, chickens, ducks, fruit bushes, trees and a greenhouse. I may trap rabbits or hunt deer as well. Since not all of these elements are currently in place, I'll start with a mini version and work my way up to the full challenge.

Next year's challenge will be a 30ft. - 30% challenge. So, I'll be eating a large amount of fresh produce. How I suffer for my principles . I'll take at least one other person along for this challenge.

The next challenge will be the 100% dollar neutral diet. 100% of the diet will be grown, or bought with money earned from items grown within the 100 ft. circle. Trades will be allowed.

Within three years, I should be ready to do the 100 ft. challenge. This gives plenty of others time to prepare to join me. I think it will be easiest in August or September.
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Exceptions --- Some off farm, spices, salt, olive oil and soya sauce will make life more pleasant during this harrowing experience. Wild harvest of fruit that can be accessed on foot or bike is allowed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm never going to be one of those guys who climbs Mt. Everest while blindfolded or rides a pogo stick around the world. I prefer challenges that leave me healthier and wealthier than when they began.

I'll announce each stage of this, and invite others to join me. I made a good start this year, but the season has gotten away from me and records were not kept.

Let's make this a contest. Extra points if you live in an the arctic or a condo.

Dale, you glorious bastard you're on!

Don't everyone join in now.

I can't do 100 feet, my stuff is spread out further than that (I am growing for 12, not just 1). But I am shooting for 100% on-property or free/barter.

I know a lot of people who are into the locavore thing, and none of them are flip about agricultural chemicals.

The amount of energy used to ship refrigerated food across the country from California to Rhode Island is significant. It takes less energy to use a ship from Europe.

Even if I drive my car to a farm to buy a few pounds of food, I am helping build a local food economy. The value of this is high. 90 percent of agriculture in California comes from snowmelt in the mountains. What will happen to us in Rhode island when there's no more snow in the mountains there, and diesel fuel prices go high if there is no farming here?

There is a pretty big farming concern with parts within 100 feet of my farm but the farmer's questionable use of poisons and undocumented immigrant labor makes me drive for my few pounds.

Plus, while I am picking up a few pounds of veggies I can shoot the breeze with the farmer. Information and connection made this way are one of the commodities I value most highly. Money can't buy friends!

All that said, I like your challenge and look forward to reading updates. My state is so small that if my food comes from here, I'm satisfied. When the children are grown more I'll aim for the on property diet.