By now, you've certainly heard the buzz about "eating local". When the 100 Mile Diet--a regime that limits allowable food to that which originates within 100 miles of its consumption point--was introduced in 2005, it raised awareness about the benefits of eating locally-produced food. For example, local food spends less time travelling and is thus fresher and tastier when it arrives on your table. The reduced travel time also means that the environmental footprint of your diet is smaller. Further, eating local requires you to adjust your diet with the seasons. In-season food tastes best, and it is also the most abundant, which means that it costs less than out-of-season food that has to be imported. Finally, with local food, you know exactly what you are eating and where it came from. The same cannot be said for food that travels halfway around the world, changing hands several times, before landing on your plate.
If you're ready to move toward a more locally-sourced diet, this article will help you get started.
What does it mean to eat local?
First, take the time to understand what local means for you. Some, like the authors of the 100 Mile Diet, choose a particular radius as their criterion. In this case, 100 miles is common, but 800 miles, about one day's driving distance, is also a popular definition. Others may define local as food that originates within the same province or state, or within a particular region, for example, New England. The most extreme local eaters, or locavores, may try to produce all of their nourishment on their own properties. Choose a definition that is most reasonable for your location so that you will still have access to an abundant supply of food. For example, if you live in a large urban area with very little food production, it may not be feasible to limit yourself to a 100 mile diet, but an 800 mile diet may work well.
Find local, seasonal food and farmer's markets in your area
Second, educate yourself about the local foods that are available in your defined region throughout the year. Sites like NRDC's Eat Local Guide for US residents and the Real Food Movement's Seasonal Guide for Canadian residents, will show you what products are available in your area throughout the year. Based on your findings, you may decide to narrow or broaden your definition of eating locally. It will also allow you to plan your shopping trips and meals according to what will be available, saving you the frustration of trying to find locally-produced out-of-season food.
Next, find and visit the farmers markets in your area. Farmers markets allow you to purchase your food directly from the people who grow it, eliminating the "middle man", AKA the grocery store. They're a great place to find locally produced seasonal food, and many of them are open year-round. Use the farmers market directories offered by Local Harvest (US only) or Travel to Wellness to find the markets closest to you. If you have more than one option, check them all out to find the one with the best selection and prices. If there are no year-round markets in your area, you might consider freezing or preserving some foods in the summer and fall to help round out your diet in the colder months.
Get local groceries delivered to your home
Fourth, check out some online grocers in your area that specialize in locally-grown food. Spud and Waithaka Farm are two examples of companies that allow you to order food online and have it delivered to your home. If you are concerned about your environmental footprint, this option helps you reduce it by eliminating the need to drive to the store. However, because many of these specialty grocers sell only organic food, you may find that it is a little more expensive than going to a farmers market. If you do not have access to a year-round market, this may help you keep it local through the winter. Do a Google search to find companies in your area that deliver local good.
Or grow your own fruits and vegetables at home
Finally, consider growing some food at home. An easy way to start is to plant a few commonly used herbs such as basil, thyme, and rosemary. These plants can be grown in pots, indoors or outdoors, and add great flavour to your meals. Other foods that are fairly easy to grow are onions, carrots, green beans, and strawberries. Your ability to produce your own food will depend on the amount of space and time you have available and the climate in your area. However, growing just a few types of plants can help reduce your grocery bill and your environmental footprint, and give you the freshest, most local food possible.
Sophie Agbonkhese - Who am I? I am a Canadian woman, an entrepreneur, a wife and mother, an environmentalist, a writer, and a martial artist. I am from ...
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