Another excuse to eat local

If you prefer to eat at independent restaurants over chains and shop at farmers markets instead of chain groceries, you can claim to be part of an official movement starting on Aug. 31. Sunday is the start of "Going Local Week," a grassroots (natch) event celebrating local food production that runs through Sept. 6.

The core activity for Going Local Week is to promote “the eating of Indiana locally grown and produced foods as the norm, not a novelty,” according to the event Web site. That means anything you do that supports locally grown and produced foods is going to be celebrated for a whole week!

Speaking of celebrating, I need to give kudos to Steve and Anita Spencer, co-owners of Homestead Growers who, along with brother Jeff, Chris and Molly Ely at Goose The Market , and Matt Ewer/Beth Blessing of Farm Fresh Delivery, is - in my opinion - changing Indianapolis' view on how easy it is to eat local. Talk to Steve for about 5 minutes and you'll want to sign up for a CSA and plant a few garden veggies in your backyard too.

I fully intend to buy some Local Folks Foods pasta sauce, order up some Goose Burgers for Labor Day and use the week as an excuse to eat at restaurants that support local producers. R Bistro - you're my first stop.

Any other suggestions?

For more information about Going Local Week, visit www.goinglocal-info.com.