A CUP OF WITH A LOCAL

It was late 2017 when I first heard about Suzanne Crocker’s ambitious 100-mile diet, northof-60 style. She had started the 1-year challenge that summer, with her family in nervous tow. My selfish thought was, “What, no bananas? No avocados? For a year?” Crocker wrote about her emotional trials in Harrowsmith’s Spring 2018 issue, nearing the summit of their year-long edible Everest. This is a woman with fortitude and resilience!

First We Eat, a film produced and directed by Crocker, had its virtual world première at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in May 2020. Her documentary couldn’t be more timely, as food security has become paramount in the lives of Canadians, regardless of where we call home.

For Crocker, living just 300 km from the Arctic Circle—with no salt, no caffeine, no sugar, –40°C temperatures, three skeptical teenagers and one reluctant husband—is a genuine, inspiring feat. Imagine life without a grocery store to lean on!