This post is part of The Edmonton Do Gooder Project, a series of profiles on Edmonton folks doing good in creative ways.

1.     What is the good result you are hoping to create?

Ideally, the readers of my blog would be inspired to shop more locally and shop more seasonally, and appreciate and support the unique places and products Edmonton has to offer.

I also recognize that I am among many who share this goal (both online and mainstream writers), and in many ways, this is the way it should be! Choosing the local option should become normalized, and not be the ‘other’.

When I started writing my blog in 2006, it wasn’t focused on local at all, just on places I would visit and restaurants I would eat, some of which were national and international chains. But when I started going to the farmers’ market on a regular basis several years ago, and started getting to know the chefs and local restaurants, it became more about people and relationships than just about food. Everything is much more personal when shopping locally and dining locally – the business owners and chefs tend to appreciate diners more, I tend to run into more people I know, and the products being offered are typically more unique than at the big chain next door. These small businesses are what make Edmonton the city we can be, and what people point to as the types of places offering memorable experiences.

2.     What is your approach for making this happen?

My blog is my main method of promoting local businesses and producers. For that reason, I try to be consistent in posting something new 4-5 times per week, so people can rely on always finding fresh content.

In the last two years, however, I’ve gotten more involved in the food scene by co-organizing events such as What the Truck?!, Blink and Eat Alberta. Although I could have done this irrespective of my blog, I was hopeful that some readers may have chosen to “follow me off the page”, and trusted me enough to support some of those events.

3.     What makes this issue/area the best fit for you personally?

I’ve always loved to write, so a blog was a good outlet to capture my thoughts. I would also like to think I am quite organized, so keeping track of different events (for my weekly series of “Food Notes”, for example) and posting on a consistent basis isn’t as challenging as it could be.

I also strongly believe that food brings people together, and in many ways, I hope that events like What the Truck?! and Eat Alberta can enhance connections and create relationships between members of the food community in Edmonton.

4.     How will you know if you’re making progress?

Relating to encouraging support of local businesses and producers – I have heard anecdotally from some restaurants and producers that they did receive more foot traffic because of a post I wrote. That’s always gratifying to hear, but I don’t have any other “hard statistics” to back this up.

Regarding events – so long as people keep requesting that they happen, we will continue!

5.     What have and haven’t you accomplished so far?

In 2011, I was recognized as one of Western Living’s “Top 40 Foodies Under 40”, alongside some fabulous company, so it was really an honour.

In the last year, I’ve found it a bit more difficult to juggle my blogging schedule with other extra curricular activities and event organizational duties. As a result, I’ve been less timely with certain posts, and haven’t been able to make it out to as many events as I have in the past. I recognize even more that I have to prioritize!