Have you been watching the TV program where families are trying to cope with eating only food grown or produced within 100 miles of their homes? Does it look difficult? Would you be willing to try, just for one meal?

Well, a group of Dufferin residents are planning to hold a 100 Mile Potluck Dinner on Wednesday, May 20, at St. Mark's Anglican church.

This is a project of the Joint Outreach Committee of St. Mark's and St. John's Church, Highway 9. It is based on the book, "The 100-Mile Diet," written by two Canadians who spawned a social movement advocating eating locally grown food in the hope of minimizing our ecological footprints.

"The committee is trying to show that the church is sensitive to ecological issues and is truly trying to do something about it," says one representative. "It is one of the faces of the church."

The evening will provide an opportunity for people to share experiences with the experiment, and share recipes and stories about the adventure of finding locally produced food. The evening will include light entertainment from local residents John Thomson and Tony Maxwell. As for the question of why people should buy local produce, the committee says it is picked fresh and tastes great. Buying food from local farmers will help your family understand where their food comes from and will connect to the people who produce food.

In an effort to help people the committee compiled a list of some area stores which stock locally produced foods. These include: Dave's Butcher Shop (local lamb, veal, chicken and beef); Orangeville Farmers' Market (maple syrup and mushrooms); Reid's Country Market (potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage, garlic, eggs, beef, asparagus, rhubarb, lettuce and spinach, plus preserved goods); and Harmony Whole Food Market (chicken, fish, frozen beef and venison, honey, pasta, spelt flour and eggs, sheep cheeses, yogourt, locally grown salad greens).

Anyone interested in joining this evening is asked to call St. Mark's at 519-941-0604 to book a spot. Then you'll be responsible for bringing a main course, salad or dessert for six people.