Let’s Eat Local, Charleston
Charleston has become known the world over for its incredible cuisine and delicious restaurants. But one of the other great perks of living in this foodie city is the abundance of local farms, farmers markets and farm-to-table eating taking place in restaurants and home kitchens all over the area.
Eating local has never been easier. So we love Eat Local Month coming up in April. Organized by Lowcountry Local First, this month-long initiative is a celebration of our local bounty mixed with educational events and opportunities for locals to get up close and personal with area farmers.
Here’s the easiest thing you can do all month: take the Eat Local Challenge, in which you pledge to shift $10 or more of your weekly food budget, for four weeks, toward the local food system. You can commit to starting your own garden, shopping at farmers markets or dining at restaurants that use local food.
You can also participate in a community garden. The Charleston Parks Conservancy is launching a new community garden in West Ashley and beds will be available for lease. Watch our website, email newsletter and social media networks for updates coming in the next few weeks.
Lowcountry Local First is also hosting several events during April, including:
– Plow to Chow cooking demonstration during the Charleston Farmers Market on April 12. Local farmers and chefs will offer samples of locally sourced foods.
– Lowcountry Farms Tours on April 19 on Johns and Wadmalaw islands. Tickets are $20 in advance.
– Chef’s Potluck from 4-7 p.m. April 27 at Middleton Place. More than a dozen Charleston chefs partner with growers to prepare dishes made from local ingredients.
For more about these events and other happenings during Eat Local Month, check out the Eat Local Month online calendar. And then let us know how you’re participating in Eat Local Month.