Meal Planning, Mountain-Town Style

Fruit Stand With A Purpose

I’ve always had a routine for running the weekly errands and getting the essentials for meals for the week. I’d make a list, head to the grocery store, buy what I needed, and come home ready for the week ahead. As I’ve moved to the mountains and slowed down, even something as ordinary as grocery shopping has changed.

As I’ve been living in small mountain towns for over 20 years, I’ve learned when to go to the grocery store to have the best chance of it being stocked, and that I will have to build my weekly meals around what is available at the store this week.

When we first moved to a small town, I have to admit that I found this frustrating. I was used to making a menu, making a list, and expecting the grocery store to have what was on it.

Now, I often build our meals around what’s available rather than deciding exactly what we’re going to eat before I get to the store. And I've discovered that I actually like it. There’s more improvising and sometimes, more appreciation when something you haven't seen in weeks suddenly appears on the shelf.

Of course, living in a small mountain town also means learning a few tricks. You stock up on certain things when you find them. And when you make a trip to the “big city,” you come home with a car filled to the brim with the things you don't have in town. And when I say “things”, I do mean wine (at non-tourist town prices!). 🙂

I’ve gotten used to this pattern of taking what you get and building around it. That is why I love our local farmers market and the fruit and vegetable stand that shows up in the summer (Fruit Stand With a Purpose - gotta love the name!). I get to be so creative in my meal planning! I’d love to hear how you navigate your food shopping and meal planning!