In 2007, a group of friends in Richmond decided to try a “10 Mile Diet Challenge”. For 10 days, we were only allowed to eat foods grown within a 10-mile radius, which basically encompassed the island of Richmond. The 100 Mile Diet had just been published and Powell River had just launched its 50 Mile Diet Challenge. For sure, there was some one-up-man-ship going on when we came up with our idea.
It was a fun and fantastic way of exploring the local food system in Richmond, at a time when many of the local farms were struggling. Our challenge was reported in the local paper, along with recipes and source lists of where we found all of our food. When someone found a source of local plums or grapes, the news flashed through all the challengers and we quickly filled up our fridges with sweet goodness that we were all craving after not being able to indulge in muffins or cookies.
Because there are no grains or oils grown in the Richmond, we allowed ourselves 5 “Wild Card” foods. Many chose chocolate or coffee or even wine or whisky. However, it quickly became apparent to me, a vegetarian for over 20 years, that I’d have no such luxuries. My wild cards? Rice, chick peas, olive oil, soy and salt. Being a locavore vegetarian was exceptionally challenging.
Ever since then, I’ve continued to try to eat as local as possible (although coffee and chocolate have since slipped into my regular diet again). But I still struggle with local sources of protein. In Richmond, I began growing fava beans, planted in November, for an early summer source of legume.
Fast forward to 2013, I’ve now got lots more land to grow on but I’m still concerned about my protein sources. Luckily, I’m not alone. Earlier this year, the Comox Valley Growers and Seed Savers hosted a talk by Dr. Royann Petrell. Royanne lives in Royston with her partner where they have a small acreage. She and her husband are also vegetarian but they grow dry beans on ¼ of an acre and it supplies them with enough beans (110 cups) to get them through a year.
I was so inspired by this talk that I thought to try growing some dry beans myself – inside one of my greenhouses. I chose to try pole beans so that I could maximize production and have them growing up strings. Well, the extremely hot summer days we had did a number on the beans and they didn’t produce like I’d hoped. Still, the old standbys like “Scarlet Runner” did produce very well as did “Hunter” and “Lazy Housewife”. I’ll try the experiment again in a cooler greenhouse next year and see how it goes.
Lake Trail Community School will be hosting a Bean Festival on Thursday, October 17th in the evening. A number of schools around the Comox Valley have grown dry beans and it will be a chance for them to show and exchange seeds. If you have any you’d like to share, or a bean dish to bring, please mark the date! More information will soon follow.
For now, it’s shelling time. I’ll share any good recipes I come with too.
Article about 10 mile diet: http://tinyurl.com/px83wh3
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