About

Late Bloomers Farm is named both for the 48 square feet of sun-deprived, low-yielding raised-bed gardens and the middle-aged gardener who tends them and forages elsewhere.

The “farm” is a teaching farm that grows ideas. The food comes from actual farmers with real farms.

I decided to attempt eating locally in September 2007 after reading Barbara Kingsolver’s book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life.

Paraphrasing Henry David Thoreau:

I wished to eat more deliberately so that at the end of my days, I would not realize that I hadn’t eaten food at all.

I began this blog as a place for recording my journey as a local foodie, soliciting advice, and sharing notes. I define my foodshed as a 100-mile radius from my home (just east of Danbury, CT).

Initially, I imagined I’d be able to buy local food year-round at retail establishments–it didn’t work out that way! I am beginning to embrace putting by foods (mostly into the freezer, but currently exploring other methods) so this blog also includes my adventures in food preservation.

Since I chose to be a locavore, as opposed to being prescribed by a doctor or proscribed by a religion, I am free to make my own rules regarding my diet. I do eat food from “away” but not much. If it doesn’t/won’t/can’t grow here, I’ll get it from where it grows. For example, I am not inclined to give up coffee, chocolate, several grains, tropical fruits, nuts, spices, olive oil, Scotch, or Italian wines. I am inclined to eat what grows here, expend the effort to find it and preserve it, and wait for it to come in season. I am often pleasantly surprised if not amazed at the quality and quantity of local fare that’s available.

Buon appetito!