What’s so great about local food? Lots.
In October 2008, hundreds of consumers participated in a national “Eat Local Challenge”. They committed to eating only locally grown food—traditionally defined as a 150-mile distance from home—for a period of 30 days. While organic food is still one of the fastest growing segments in the marketplace, local food is the latest trend. At a time with numerous food safety issues and produce and meat recalls, not to mention rising food prices, consumers want to know where their food is coming from, how it’s being produced, and what carbon footprint, or “foodprint”, it might have.
WHY GO LOCAL?
Fresh, local fruits and vegetables may retain more nutrients than produce shipped hundreds of miles. Estimates for how far American produce travels from farm to fork range as high as 1,500 miles, and the “food miles” for grocery store purchases can be up to an estimated 27 times higher than the food miles for local food. Local farmers also typically grow regional varieties, rather than produce bred to withstand shipping and long store shelf life. Not surprisingly, some consumers also claim that local food tastes better.
Local food can help cut back on climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions, and help protect air, water and soil quality. About ten percent of all commodity shipping is dedicated to food and agricultural products. Because local food travels shorter distances, it also typically requires less packaging and refrigeration, and if unprocessed, can save even more energy.
Buying local supports rural and urban farmers alike, and helps to create a stronger local economy. It’s estimated that the U.S. loses an estimated two acres of farmland every minute to development—a total of 1.2 million acres annually—and farms closest to urban centers are the most threatened. When you buy local food, you “vote” with your food dollars to help nearby farmers remain profitable and keep their land in agriculture.
If you grow some of your own food, you can transform suburban or urban spaces, whether a backyard lawn or a pocket-size perennial patch, into gardens that produce bounty for your table. Doing so can not only be rewarding, but good for your health and your wallet. For apartment dwellers, growing herbs in a window sill, or tomatoes or squash on a fire escape, can be a good way to start.
HOW TO GO LOCAL
• Support local farmers by shopping at a farmers’ market, or buy a share in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), a community of individuals who pledge to support a farm operation so growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production. By visiting your local farmers’ market or participating in a CSA, you have the opportunity to learn first-hand how your farmer grows and produces the food, whether chemicals are applied, and how animals are cared for. Find resources in your area at LocalHarvest or Eat Well Guide. You can also check regional Buy Fresh, Buy Local guides.
• Encourage your local grocery store and restaurants to support local farmers by stocking, selling and preparing local food. You can also ask your local institutions, schools, hospitals and businesses to source their food from local producers.
• Look for country of origin labels on food at the grocery store, which can help you identify more local choices.
• Eat in season and learn how to dry, can and preserve extra fruits and vegetables for a later date. For tips, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
• Learn how to grow your own food. For help getting started, check Organic Gardener, Urban Gardening Help or your local agricultural extension office. You can also find out how to get involved in community gardening by visiting the American Community Gardening Association.
• Find out about regional producers through publications from Edible Communities, for example.
• Learn more about eating locally at eatlocalchallenge.com, eatlocal.net, or 100milediet.org.
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