Quick Bites

A couple of localvore items of note to start:

• If you haven't checked out Fruit Slinger, do so. This blog chronicling the life of a freelance writer working on an orchard in southwest Michigan and his interactions at local farmers markets is engaging without over-the-top snark. It's a wonderful addition to the RSS feed.
• There was an interesting article at Salon.com on the concept of "food miles" and whether buying local is better for the consumer with regard to carbon footprint. The conventional wisdom is that, since local farms don't have as far to travel to market to sell their produce, they're reducing emissions in the process. Writer Roberta Kwok chose five types of produce regularly transported, looked at the fuel efficiency of both local farmers and wholesalers and calculated that — with four of the five items — the wholesalers emitted less carbon dioxide per pound than their localvore counterparts. Kwok readily admits that the study is just the tip of the iceberg (charting the "life cycle" of the produce in the study and its full carbon imprint could be next to impossible), but it does give those of us who assume local is better something to think about.
• David Tamarkin at Time Out Chicago profiles Craig Perman, owner of Perman Wine Company in the West Loop and his monthly offering of six wines for $60. Perman Wine is located at 802 W. Washington, 312-666-4417.
• Last minute notice: The Edgewater Dinner Crawl is this evening. Tickets are $25 and, in addition to some good eats, participants will also be treated to performances from local theater troupes, historic home tours and massages. RSVP by calling 773-856-5191 or 773-506-4016. You can also RSVP online here [via].