The following is a post from Jennie Lyon. She is going to be another new writer here, once I get her set up and running. This post was originally published on her site, Sweet Greens. Stay tuned for more from Jennie!
There are so many reasons to eat locally and even more reasons why purchasing food that is shipped across the globe isn't earth friendly.
Shipping food long distances consumes enormous amounts of fossil fuels and generates massive amounts of C02 emissions. In order to transport foods long distances, it is often picked before it has ripened and then processed in factories to artificially ripen it with preservatives and irradiation. Neither of the processes is healthy for you or the environment.
So what can you do?
Become a locavore. A locavore is someone who eats locally grown and produced foods. There are many venues that you (as a locavore) can access for local foods. There are farmer's markets, co-ops, CSA programs, local grocery stores (that carry locally grown & produced foods), or you can grow your own. Also, when you eat out, try to choose restaurants that use local foods.
If you decide to grow your own food, you have complete control over what you put into your body. Forgo the huge lawn and plant a garden instead. Share what you can't eat with your neighbors or organize a food swap. Not only will your garden grow, but so will your relationship with the Earth and your neighbors.
Have an iPhone? Purchase the Locavore app for $2.99 and it can help you find food that is in season where you live, find your local farmer's market and much more.
Are you a locavore?
May 26th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Hi Jenny! Nice to meet you.
We have a local farmer's market that we like to take the time to walk to (about a mile from our house) every Friday during summer. Summer's almost here and I'm already excited. Mmmm.... local cherries.
May 26th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Actually, even though I am one already, I'm about to become a very hardy locavore! My husband and out have taken the pledge to do the 100 mile diet from July 1st to September 1st!
Eating local as much as we can is a must, but our extremely short growing season makes it very hard sometimes! We plan on doing lots of preserves and canning this year!
May 27th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Hi Stephani
Great post - in fact it has persuaded me to try to become a locavore. Wish me luck!
Samantha Peppercorn
May 27th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Stephanie...this is an excellent post and really draws attention to supporting your local neighborhood economically as well.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:25 am
[...] Jennie's post Are You a Locavore? received some good attention here and on Twitter, which indicates to me that you guys are [...]
May 29th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Great and well-written post as always, Stefanie! And, it would be even better, if we can plant our own organic plants at our backyard...
May 29th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Great post Stephanie! You make a great case for becoming a locavore. I love it when I have the chance to buy from local farmer's markets, besides having the opportunity to support local agriculture, the food I get there just tastes better! I'm following a raw diet too, so the quality of my vegetables is really important to me! haha. Anyway, great post. Thanks!
May 31st, 2009 at 10:04 pm
The great thing about eating local is that it's not an all-or-nothing venture. Any small step you take helps the environment, protects your family's health and supports small farmers in your area.
I am proud to be a locavore!
kim
June 9th, 2009 at 6:45 am
The problem is sometimes it's a lot more experience to be a Lovacore. This might also be an excuse but not in all cases. I simply couldn't afford it. Wish I could, though...