Day 2: Finding Local Food

This post is part of the 31 Days of Living Homegrown. Sign up for my newsletter (weekly or monthly) so you don’t miss any of the inspiration and resources I will be sharing for living local, fresh and homegrown!

Day 2:

So many of us want to eat more locally grown food because of its many benefits, right?

 

• Local food is fresher, tastes better and retains more of it nutrients when it isn’t trucked half way across the country (or the world).
• Eating local is better for the earth because it has a lower carbon footprint.
• If we eat locally, we are also eating seasonally – which is more in tune with flavor and Mother Nature.
• You will discover many delicious varieties of fruits in veggies not found in regular supermarkets because they don’t travel well.
• The food usually lasts longer because there was no “travel” time from farm to table.
• If we buy within our own communities, we are helping our local farmer and our local economies.
• Shaking the hand of the person who grows our food not only makes us appreciate that food more, but gives us a connection to the earth.

All good stuff.

But how exactly do we find good sources for locally grown food?

Finding Local:

1) You can start by searching out farmer’s markets, food stands and U-pick farms in your area. Call city hall, contact county extension services and ask your friends.

2) Check with your supermarket to see if they have a “locally grown” section. (Many do) If they don’t have one, lobby for one.

3) Look for a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture Program) in your area. A CSA is a program in which you invest in a local farm in exchange for a weekly box of produce. Usually this means you visit the farm to pick up your box, but many farms are starting a delivery service. I use such a service here in Los Angles called: Farm Fresh to You.

4) Use some of the links below to search for local food in your area.

• Local Harvest – A website dedicated to helping you find a farm or farmers market that is close to you. Great place to start when looking for local food resources & more information.
• Eat Well Guide.org - Another resource for finding local food in your area.
• Slow Food USA
• Eat Local Food App  or Eat Local App – Yep. There are apps for that!
• CUESA – Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture is mainly focused on a San Francisco Farmer’s Market, but the website has good information on seasonal foods, recipes and sustainability.

 

Tagged as: 31 Days of Living Homegrown, Local Food