LocalVore — Janice Perrin and Eating Local

(photo is by Randi Baird)

After twenty years of being a vegetarian I realized there is a lot of social stigmatism that goes with eating differently.

Everyone has a comment or question about it. Wanting to know why? What I eat? Am I always tired? You can’t be healthy. How could you actually get enough protein?

I have developed answers for all of the many questions I receive. I often try to put myself in others’ position and try to reflect on how they might answer certain questions. Recently I have dove back into being a carnivore; not necessarily because I want to eat meat again, but I have made the decision to attempt to eat only local food within a one hundred mile radius of Martha’s Vineyard—and meat just offers one more thing to fill my belly with.

June 23, 2008 was the day I decided to start this new lifestyle. I was off island for the weekend, came in late Sunday and knew what I was about to do was going to be a transition. What I didn’t realize is how ignorant I have been for the past 33 years of my life. I have always considered myself a person who is conscious of what I put into my body. What I didn’t know was I was not being conscious of the earth or to my own community.

Monday morning I rolled out of bed, my first day of vacation after leaving a job that became part of my life and role in the community. I was the Director for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. A new endeavor was a must to take on some other purpose to ensure the quality of our world in one way or another.

I got out of bed, went for a run, came back and immediately went to the refrigerator to find some breakfast. I came to the quick realization that the only thing I had that was local in my house was half of a tomato.

Needless to say I ate the tomato Monday morning for breakfast.

I had a friend who was visiting and we immediately decided to scope out the farms on the Vineyard. We went to eleven farms that day. I spent a proud $140. Purchased were: eggs, lamb, greens, herbs, strawberries, asparagus, and this salt mixture that was made on the Vineyard but not from here. (The one and lonely thing I am using that is not from 100 miles). It was a lot of money for a small amount of items, but well worth the field trip.

I learned which farms had what as well as what vegetables would soon be in season. We stopped into Native Earth Teaching Farm I voiced my project to Rebecca Gilbert. She was happy to share a story with me of her being a vegetarian for five years. When she became a meat eater she tried venison and strongly suggested it while happily handing me over a piece for later consumption. The blood grossed me out but I thought who would know better then someone in my same situation.

When we got back to my home in West Tisbury we organized the goods and started to make dinner for my two roommates. I grilled the meat with some honey on top and steamed the veggies. I must say it felt nice. I felt like I was doing the right thing. I felt I know it may sound cheesy but wholesome or perhaps that the food was made with love. All of the people who made this food possible to be on our table were people from my community. I knew where it had all come from. It made me proud.

I want to take a minute to tell you all of the things I can’t eat that I was very much accustomed to eating. First and foremost wine, chocolate, wheat, oil for cooking, wheat (means no Gio’s pizza!) Any form of liquid with any taste. I think you get the point. I have adapted well, but it has been a challenge every day—but every day’s challenge is different.

The first week was rough. Big Brothers and Big sisters had a celebration for me leaving BBBS. It was a barbeque on State Beach. There were about 50 people there who had all prepared lovely pot luck dishes. One woman came up to me with a huge smile and said “I made a pie for you.” Another brought 100 ears of fresh corn; there were salads, desserts, burgers on the grill, etc. I am very thankful for everyone who could make it and brought such lovely things to eat, but I couldn’t have any of it. After the party was over my friends came and wanted to go celebrate at the Look Out for a beer. I happily went sipping water. This was the point I realized I would eat steamers!

That Saturday I woke early to be the first person at the Farmers market in West Tisbury. I was delighted to see my menu increase radically. I found potatoes! I have never liked potatoes but my body was craving starch like nobody’s business. I also found beats, celery, Swiss chard, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, and more eggs (which I have been eating at least 4 a day in multiple forms). Went home smiling!

Finally it was time for the CSA to open and was able to get sugar snap peas, which have become candy for me. It was also nice to go there and know I had already paid for it. This will be my main source of food as the summer moves forward. For now the selection is limited but will become more plentiful. I look forward to those days.

At this point my craving for dairy products became overwhelming. My boyfriend and I set out on a mission.

We went to Morning Glory farm and were able to find some milk within 100 miles and more eggs. We continued on and at Fiddlehead farm stand the man was so kind and helpful. He took the time to help us find local products. Sure enough, goat cheese was found. A feast was had later that afternoon.

I feel so fortunate to have the most supportive friends and community members. Everyone has been extremely supportive of my choice to take on this project. People have actually asked me if I mind when they eat around me especially when they are consuming something I would naturally want. My close friends ask me each time if I mind if they have a beer around me. I appreciate everyone’s kindness. I am okay with everything all food and drink being consumed in my presence. This is something I have chosen to do and don’t want it to be a burden for anyone else. A friend who shot a deer this past winter came over and filled up our freezer with venison. The support is overwhelming.

I wondered what I would do when I had to attend my residency at Goddard College in Vermont. It is mandatory when we are at school that we must eat in the cafeteria. It is part of Goddard attempting to create a community of sharing and around food seems to be where most of the sharing happens at school. We made a deal that I didn’t need to be on the food plan and could bring my own food into the cafeteria.

The day before leaving for school I received a call from the Vineyard Gazette. They wanted to interview me about this project. I happily accepted to get the word out in the community that this is possible and supporting our local farmers is a big way we can help to sustain the island. The interview lasted over an hour and they brought a photographer as well. I thought my fame was over when I left BBBS.

The day I was heading out to school I packed up the cooler and headed to Vermont. I brought eggs, quahogs my folks had foraged, and a bunch of veggies. I quickly ran out of food from the Vineyard and happily jumped into the localvore habits of eating 100 miles from school. Let me tell you it is a vacation in Vermont! Cheddar cheese, yogurt, wine, and bacon. Yes, bacon—the one meat I have found I think I could sit down to eat a pound of at a time. All other meats I’m not sold on yet, but will continue to try.

I am open to any food suggestions people might have and have run into so many fascinating people while doing this project. People have explained how to make goat cheese, yogurt, had many recipe ideas. I am learning something new every day and am looking forward to sharing my experiences.