Truckee / North Tahoe Local First

In summer 2009, Truckee/North Tahoe Local First plans to work with Truckee Trails Foundation and Green Bikes North Tahoe in order to encourage safe biking through town to work and play.  Our interests lie in building smart, connected places and reducing environmental impact and carbon emissions. Join us during Downtown Truckee Thursdays, every Thursday between June 25th and August 27th for bike valets and informational booths in downtown Truckee! Email eingebretsen@sbcouncil.org for more information.

Keep the Sierra Green (KSG) is a new program designed to recognize community business leaders focused on sustainable ecological and economic practices in the North Central High Sierra and Foothills. The KSG program is a self certifying, voluntary check list of various waste reduction, pollution prevention and energy conservation measures. Businesses meeting the minimal requirements will receive recognition whereas businesses demonstrating outstanding green practices may receive an award of excellence. There is no cost to apply. Information at www.keepthesierragreen.org.

Truckee/North Tahoe Local First has worked to encourage local holiday shopping efforts in December 2008, and in addition to hosting a sustainability film series in collaboration with Sierra College and a locally sourced brunch in collaboration with Sawtooth Ridge Cafe in Tahoe City and a number of farms from the Sierra Foothills.

Local First's sustainability film series included film showings from Michael Pollan's 2007 Bioneers Conference appearance and presentations from Slow Food Lake Tahoe and Butte Community College. This event brought over 30 attendees to the new Sierra College campus in Truckee and celebrated thinking local first with local music and locally sourced snacks. Please peruse our Local First Brunch menu below and stay tuned for more Local First partnerships bringing ranches and farms in our foodshed closer to you.

We'd also like to recognize Tahoe City Downtown Association, North Tahoe Business Association, Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, and many local business owners for their effort in encouraging shopping local first this holiday season. Click here to read "The Hometown Advantage" by SBC President, Steven Frisch.

Here's a snapshot of our brunch specials from the Local First Brunch:

Fresh Squeezed Placer County Mandarin Orange Juice
Machado Orchards Freshly Pressed Pure Apple Juice

1. APPLE CINAMMON PANCAKES—Hot Pancakes with Golden Delicious Apples and batter direct from Machado’s Orchards in Bowman served with warm syrup and cinnamon.

2. MUSHROOM AND LEEK QUICHE—Our fresh baked Quiche of the Day made with Blossom Hill Farm Fresh Eggs, Colusa County Grown Mushrooms and Leeks from Amber Oaks Farms in Auburn.           

3. TWO EGGS, SAUSAGE & POTATOES—Western Placer Fresh Eggs from Blossom Hill Farms served with locally made Pork Sausage Patties from Coffee Pot Ranch and even local German butterball and red new potatoes!

4. EGGS BENEDICT—Classic Benedict with poached Blossom Hills Farm Fresh Eggs and home made Hollandaise Sauce served with local German butterball and red new potatoes.  

5. OMELET SPECIAL Vine Ripened Yuba County Tomato, Placer Grown Onions, Local Mushroom and Cheese Omelet made with Blossom Hills Farm Eggs served with local German butterball and red new potatoes.

6. AMAZING FRENCH TOAST—Thick Cut French Toast with Placer Grown D’Anjou Pears, Machado Orchard Peaches and Blenheim Apricot sauce with Sierra Nevada Organic Cream Cheese.

For more information about Sierra Foothill farms visit www.placergrown.org or connect with our Sierra Foothills Local First program by clicking here.

In Summer 2008, Local First was on the streets talking to visitors and residents about the benefits of relocalizing our economy by starting with the businesses in each of our hometowns. We attended nearly all of the Downtown Truckee Thursday events. Check out a few of our local pledges:

"I will shop at the farmer's market at least five times this summer."
"I will start using canvas bags."
"I will use my Klean Kanteen instead of purchasing water bottles."
"I will ride my bike to work one time a week."
"I will by three books from Truckee Book & Bean this year."
"I will make a better effort to recycle more."
"I will plant a garden."
"I will start a compost pile."
"I will support my local farmers."
"I will remember to bring my reusable coffee cup to my local coffee shop."

If you're interested in joining the Truckee/North Tahoe Local First Committee to see more events like these happening in the area, please contact Nikki Streegan at nstreegan@sbcouncil.org.