Many of us are buying more local produce and meats, frequenting the farmers markets a little more often than the grocery store. Austinite Carla Crownover has taken her locavore lifestyle to a whole new level.  She challenged herself at the beginning of the year to go one year without shopping at a grocery store.

This challenge was particularly difficult as Carla, co-owner of Austin Urban Gardens, considers herself a foodie. Central Market, a local store that specializes in gourmet products, was one of her favorite outings each week, exploring new foods and tastes as she shopped. One of her greatest concerns as she started the challenge was how she could go a year without her favorite foodie playground.

I recently interviewed Carla to see how it was going. You can follow Carla and her daily updates on her “No Grocery Store Challenge” on her blog.

Why did you decide to go a year without shopping at the grocery store?

I was inspired to start the No Grocery Store for a Year Challenge, after seeing the movie “Food, Inc.” It was quite an eye opening look into our food supply and it disgusted me. I already had a substantial garden and shopped at farmers markets, but not exclusively. I’m learning every day how much I relied on the grocery stores for more than I realized.

If you aren’t shopping at the grocery store, where are you shopping?

I am shopping at farmers markets and occasionally Boggy Creek Farm, an Austin farm that has a stand twice each week. I have relied heavily on Richardson Farms for beef, pork and chicken; Kocurek Family Charcuterie for prepared sausages and bacon, and Countryside Farms for duck eggs.  I also buy cheese from  Antonelli’s Cheese Shop because they carry local products from Pure Luck and CKC Farms who aren’t at the farmers markets.

Are you growing any of your own food and, if so, what?

I have raised bed gardens in my back yard and I am currently growing broccoli, several varieties of lettuce, carrots, onions, fennel, garlic, shallots, strawberries and watermelon radishes. I also have most of the herbs growing in pots in a small greenhouse.

What do you do about essentials like toilet paper, shampoo and soap?

I have always bought shampoo from my hair salon. I get soap at the pharmacy when I pick up my prescriptions, and toilet paper, toothpaste, and actually some spices at CVS. Home Depot has toilet paper and cleaning supplies as well. I get Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning supplies at Breed and Company.

You’ve made it through the first two months, what has been the biggest challenge so far? Are there any foods that you miss?

The biggest challenge is planning ahead. I’m learning to think several meals ahead, when before I would just pick something up. I’m learning to plan ahead more in the garden as well, so that it can be more productive all year round.

I miss lots of things: avocados, canned beans, canned tuna, rice, the tarragon chicken salad at Whole Foods, salmon, fresh jalapenos, garlic, already made tortillas, and Costco coffee, because it is good and so much cheaper. I loved the deli sandwiches at a small, neighborhood store and I crave them sometimes. I still eat out, so I’m not really deprived.

Have you had any surprises or revelations in your first two months?

I didn’t realize how often I went to the grocery store, and sometimes several different ones in one day for different things. I also did not realize how often I’m not in the mood for what I’ve got planned for dinner, so I would run out and pick something else up.

Have you been tempted to go into a grocery store?

I had lunch with a friend at the Café at Central Market. I did peer into the store before I left and was tempted to go grab a cart and fill it with lots of fun stuff, but then I realized I didn’t really need anything.

This post is participating in Fight Back Fridays hosted by Food Renegade!