Foods grown and purchased within 100 miles of your home help support local farmers and provide you with better vegetables and meats. Eat local whenever you can, from the local farmers market or from local farmers. Meats, poultry, eggs and more are usually available within 100 miles of your home. Eat local, eat healthy.
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The current long-distance food system in industrial countries has eliminated small farmers and good flavors, and consumes large amounts of fuel for transportation. Here is a great discussion with Brian Halweil from the Worldwatch Institute about the benefits of locally grown food. Before coming to the Institute, Brian established a student-run organic farm on Stanford University campus. The farm was community-supported and sold produce to the University and local restaurants. In addition, Brian set up community-supported farms and organic farms/orchards throughout California and assisted farmers who were making the shift from chemical agriculture to organic.
Scott says
September 22, 2007 at 4:21 pmI agree. In fact, I’ve started growing quite a few things (food-wise) here – definitely local 🙂
Rob says
September 22, 2007 at 5:38 pmI knew you’d like this post.
Annette says
September 24, 2007 at 5:06 amI love local! Not only do we grow some of our own veggies (in pots on our deck- so I know anyone can do it) but I bike to the local farmers market as often as possible. Good quality food, good people and good prices. Great combination!
Good reminder and suggestion Rob!
Pat T says
September 28, 2007 at 1:56 pmSo is eating local just a buzzword – or does it actually mean something? In my opinion cheaper will always win. Besides I live in Canada and don’t intend to stop drinking my citrus drinks just becaus emy climate is Sub-arctic.
The Walrus mag has been hashing this out too at http://walrusmagazine.com/articles/2007.09.26-alphabet-city-discussion-two-eat-local/
Scott says
September 28, 2007 at 6:06 pmHi Pat,
This isn’t an all-or-nothing game – small changes really do help. With things like the citrus drinks, if there are only imports available, buy them (although where possible, reach for those from Florida before those from Brazil).
When it comes to other types of foods, there are a few things that almost everyone can grow themselves. Something as simple as growing some of your own vegetables (either indoors or outdoors) can make an enormous difference in the long-run.