As winter finally settles in upon Wisconsin, some of us may be preparing to stock up at the supermarket and put our taste buds down to hibernate until it is harvest season again in the Midwest. Thankfully, we don’t have to! Although there is snow on the ground and a chill in the air, there are still plenty of local options for delicious ingredients and meals in the Madison area.
Winter Markets in the Madison Area
The Dane County and South Madison Farmer’s Markets may be less visible indoors, but they are still a great source of local ingredients and foods. Stop by the Madison Senior Center on Saturday mornings for the Dane County Farmer’s Market through April 9th, or the Novation Campus on Rimrock on Sunday afternoons for the South Madison Farmer’s Market.
Community Supported Agriculture
You can still receive produce from farms in the region through CSA baskets. These baskets are a great way to support local farmers, get fresh produce, and try vegetables, fruits, meats, and cheeses that you might not otherwise be exposed to. Many CSA operations offer week by week or long term purchasing options. Growing Power has a Market Basket Program that runs year round that you can sign up for through Growing Power or through Slow Food UW’s Market Basket partnership. Other CSA options in the Madison area include the Madison Area CSA Coalition and Harmony Valley Farm. If you think Winter CSA baskets will be boring, then you haven’t tried winter spinach yet!
Courtesy of www.mofga.org
Local, Sustainable Food Events
Slow Food UW and Slow Food Madison are two organizations that focus on promoting “good, clean, fair food” in the Madison area. For five dollars, families and individuals can stop by 1127 University Avenue on Monday nights for Family Dinner Nights, a delicious, locally sourced meal hosted by Slow Food UW and prepared by a guest chef. Slow Food UW also hosts a Wednesday Cafe during the lunch hour with a menu of local and creative entrees to choose from.
January 22nd though the 27th is Madison Magazine Resturant Week. Area resturants put together special three course menus for this six day event and resturant goers can choose a combination of courses for a set price of either $25 or $15. This is a great opportunity to try a new Madison resturant or revisit an old favorite. For a list of participating resturants and menus, click here.
~Sustainability Intern
Joe Shook
Greener Faster Challenge set to take off
The Greener Faster Challenge is set to start soon! We are looking for eco-heroes for a yearlong challenge to reduce your ecological footprint by 41%.
Last year, 6 Dane County families took on a yearlong commitment to reduce their eco-footprint by 40%. These families have completed the challenge, greatly changing their impact on the environment and creating an example for their communities. The search is on to find 5-10 individuals or families to take on the ultimate eco-test this coming year.
- How much energy can you save?—the average WI household consumes 10,000 kWh/yr
- How much less can you drive?—the average WI car owner drives 13,000 miles/yr
- How much local and organic food can you eat?— food typically travels 1,500 miles
- How much waste can you recycle?—the average person throws away 1,600 lbs of garbage/yr
- How much water can you conserve?—the average WI household consumes 67,806 gallons/yr
- How much money can you save?—the answer is up to you! (The average EnAct participant saves $400/yr)
The goal is a 41% reduction (compared to the WI averages above) to celebrate the 41st anniversary of Earth Day. The challenge will start in January 2012 and end in December 2012.
What We Need from You
- A commitment to make significant changes, and to keep up the effort for a full year
- Permission to share your story and picture online and with the media
- Permission to periodically review your utility bills, odometer readings, and food bills
- Willingness to blog or be interviewed for blogs or media stories
What We’ll Provide You
- One-on-one consultations to help you make changes and save money
- Free resources and more than 1,000 tips to reduce your ecological footprint
- Recognition for your hard work
- GREAT PRIZES for all participants! Last year’s prizes included a free bike from Dream Bikes, a year’s worth of Organic Valley milk, a free home energy audit from MG&E, a Water Sense low flow toilet, and more. This adds up to more than $1,500 in rewards! Look forward to similar great prizes for next year.
To Nominate Yourself
Email a 250-word essay explaining why you should be a Greener, Faster Challenge participant. Include your name, address, phone and email address, and the number of people in your household. Tell us about your current lifestyle, and why you are ready to make big changes. Participants will be selected from all nominations received.
Deadline for nominations is December 31st. Visit www.enactwi.org or call (608) 204-2888 for more details. Send your nomination to: enact@madisonenvironmental.com. Entries will be reviewed by Madison Environmental Group, Inc. and EnAct sponsors.
The Dreaded New Year’s Resolution
It’s funny how you don’t hear much about New Year’s Eve until after the holidays. It seems to be a sudden jump to find plans and make resolutions. Perhaps we put it off to avoid the inevitable question of “What is your resolution?”
Fear not! If one of your resolutions is to save money, live more sustainably or make real changes in the household, we have all the tools you need. EnAct teams can be a great way to meet new people, build community in your workplace, faith group, or neighborhood.
If you are really looking to dig in, consider joining the Greener Faster Challenge. This year long challenge will push you to go as low as you can go. You will get hands on help, guidance, resources, and goodies to help you along the way. Don’t forget the people you will meet that will be there to provide support and let you know you are not alone in the changes.
If there is anything we at EnAct can do to get your new year started right, let us know! We are here for you as a free resource to all things green.
Happy New Year!
