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The holidays are approaching quickly, and many of us are contemplating our gift lists. Since I moved to California, I've found myself turning more and more often to locally-sourced food gifts. They're a great way to share some of what I love about my adopted home state, they're consumable (no clutter!), and, in many cases, they're easy to transport.
The farmer's market is a great place to start when seeking out locally-made food gifts. Edible gifts that travel well include granola and other cereals, beans, rice (I love it when visitors from Minnesota show up with local wild rice!), or coffee. (Though the beans are most certainly not going to be locally-sourced, unless you live in a coffee-producing region, you may have a local roaster who serves up delicious fair trade beans!)
Beverages, oils and jams are also wonderful gifts, but require a little bit of creativity when packing them. TSA regulations still prohibit carried-on liquids beyond three-ounce bottles in a one-quart bag, but I have successfully packed plenty of breakable bottles in my suitcase and not experienced a problem. One of the best set of instructions for packing glass bottles I've ever seen came from John Juergens of Oxford Town Wines. I've followed his instructions to the letter every time I've packed something risky during the past few years, and have always arrived at my destination with, for example, the olive oil in its bottle and not all over my clothes.
Local fruits and vegetables, if they're hardy travelers, might be an option, but are probably better saved for those making their visits by car rather than plane or train. Be sure you're not going to break any agricultural laws by bringing produce from one state to another.
Here are some locally-sourced foodie gift ideas, as well as some posts that round up other ideas that might bring a smile to the face of your favorite food lovers:
- Margaret of The Piedmont Virginian's Blog highlights a local food calendar that looks gorgeous and benefits a great local resource to those seeking to eat local in central Virginia. Are there similar calendars available through local purveyors in your area?
- Sara of Slow Food Seacoast has posted great ideas on how to use your local farmer's market to rustle up locally-sourced food gifts.
- Sarah of Toronto Tasting Notes suggests those in the greater Toronto area give one of these terrific local food baskets, which come in a variety of price ranges.
- Judy at Culinary Escapade has a terrific list of foodie gift ideas. Part One focuses on gadgets and tools, and Part Two highlights edible ideas. Part three, which is still to come, will focus on cookbooks.
- English Mum has pulled together her Top Ten list of foodie gifts.
- Paula of Mango and Lime published a fun list of last-minute gifts for food lovers.
- Dana McCauley of Dana McCauley's Food Blog has some cute foodie gift ideas in parts one and two of her Cool Yule series.
- If you prefer to give books rather than edibles, Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen has compiled a wonderful list of cookbooks by food bloggers.
Will you shop locally this holiday season? What items will you be sharing with family and friends that highlight your local farmers and producers?
Genie blogs about gardening and food at The Inadvertent Gardener, and tells very short tales at 100 Proof Stories. She is also documenting her year in photos at 365 in 2009.
