Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/119978
SLOWING DOWN AND CHIPPING IN Children and families learn about beekeeping at one of the Crowley Folk School booths at the Eat Local Week Festival of Reskilling at Phillippi Estate Park on March 12. All photos by Arielle Scherr THIRD ANNUAL EAT LOCAL WEEK ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BUY LOCAL FOOD, INVEST IN LOCAL FARMS AND BUSINESSES By Tyler Whitson Staff Writer For the past three years, greater Sarasota's Eat Local Week has been a celebration of fresh food and community and local businesses in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and Desoto counties. Beyond that, it has challenged consumers to really consider where their food comes from and to make purchasing decisions that support the local food economy. The observance does that through festivities, farmers' markets, tours, tastings, workshops, lectures, discussions and more that highlight what the area has to offer. Transition Sarasota, the principal organizer of Eat Local Week, does not want the effort to stop there, however. The sustainability advocacy organization would like to see the participants take the principles espoused during the festivities — which lasted from Friday, March 22, to Friday, March 29, this year — and apply