Two of my favorite things are eating and competition. I have always been upset that I couldn’t put those two things together. I know competitive eating exists, but the idea of shoving 30 hot dogs in my mouth in five minutes has never appealed to me. Unless you count eating faster than my brothers to get the first shot at second helpings as a competition, then I have not found a suitable way to combine these two things I enjoy, until now.

The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) has initiated the “Eat Carolina Food! Challenge.” CFSA is an organization promoting local and organic agriculture in the Carolinas by inspiring, educating and organizing farmers and consumers. The more than 1,000 members from across the Carolinas are committed to sustainable agriculture and the development of locally-based, organic food systems that are good for the farmer, the consumer and the land.

With the “Eat Carolina Food! Challenge” CFSA has created an eating competition that doesn’t reduce the eater to a processing machine. Competitors will pledge to eat Carolina grown or processed foods for one week, starting at breakfast on Monday, July 7, and going until dinner on Sunday, July 13. The contestants will keep a log of the food they consume and points will be awarded for all of the local products eaten. There are also bonus points available. For a full set of details and rules, click the icon on the county Web site (www.andersoncountysc.org). The winner will win free admission to CFSA’s 23rd Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference that will be right here in Anderson, Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

While I am not eligible to win the prize, that won’t stop me from competing in the contest. And though the deadline to register has passed, I hope that a few of you will join me and experience the fresh, flavorful and healthy foods that are produced right here in our community. In fact, we will do a local one of our own and the winner will get a $25 gift certificate to the Anderson County Farmer’s Market. Just get your log off the Web site and e-mail your points to me at bgrace@andersoncountysc.org or mail it off to P.O. Box 8002, Anderson, SC 29622.

Of course, if you want to beat my point total, you already have some work to do, because I just got five bonus points for this article. Bon appetit and may the best man (or woman) win.