Rules to Eat By: Eat Local

Cooking is not just about sustenance - it is also about philosophy.   What do we eat?  Where does our food come from?  What's in our food?   Who makes our food?  How does it affect the environment?  How does it affect our communities?   How does it affect our health?  How do we share the experience of eating?  How do we address issues of sustainability?

Like any good meal, good ideas are meant to be shared.  So join me for my first blog series - Rules to Eat By - and dish up your own suggestions in the comments to join the conversation.

Rule #1:  Eat Local

Why Eat Local:

1. Smaller Carbon Footprint
   
   The average fresh food item travels over 1,500 miles to get to our plate.  Eating local reduces the amount of gas-guzzling transportation to bring your food to you.
2. Supports Your Local Economy
   
   Local businesses are more likely to keep money in the community through creating local income, local jobs and paying local taxes.  Local businesses also are also more likely to use local services stimulating the local economy.
3. Local Food is Fresher
   
   Local food is allowed to ripen longer on the vine or tree.  Generally, local produce is sold within 24 hours of being harvested.
4. Puts us in touch with our environment and the seasons
   
   When you buy local, you buy in-season, putting yourself more in rhythm with Mother Nature's cycles.
5. Supports Living Wage for Farmers
   
   On average, farmers receive 20 cents per every dollar spent on produce.  The rest goes to packaging, transportation, processing, refrigeration, marketing and corporate profit.  Buying directly from local farmers, allows them to keep up to 90 cents or more for every dollar spent.
6. Support Family Farms
   
   When buying from a local farmer's market or farm stand, you are more likely to be supporting a family farm rather than an large-scale, agribusiness. Family farms generally grow with greater biodiversity and more sustainable practices.

How To Eat Locally:

1. Check out your local farmer's market or farm stands
2. Join a CSA (community supported agriculture) or local co-op
3. Buy from local grocers or co-ops committed to carrying locally-sourced foods
4. Support restaurants who use locally-sourced foods
5. Preserve in-season foods for use later in the year (can, dry, freeze)
6. Grow your own food in your backyard, windowsill or community garden plot

Check out the Eat Well Guide for local markets, stores, restaurants, and more that source locally in your community.