Staying Local

There are many reasons to purchase food from local farms:

Locally grown food requires less energy because it does not have to be transported from far away. Consequently, it is cheaper and less polluting.
Local food is also fresher and riper, because the time from picking to purchase is shorter - sometimes less than a day. This means we can enjoy many more varieties than the few that travel well and ripen slowly.
Growing food locally makes us less vulnerable to the economic disturbances caused by natural disasters, diseases, pests, contamination, etc., because food production is shared between many areas.
Local farmers have a stake in the economic and environmental health of their community. Large centralized corporations do not.
Buying local keeps jobs and dollars close to home.

www.localharvest.org/buylocal.jsp - Contains a directory of local food sources - farms, farm markets, CSAs and co-ops, restaurants - as well as descriptions of foods grown in each area.
www.foodroutes.org - Working to rebuild community-based food systems by providing information to consumers who want to buy local.
www.lifebeginsat30.com/elc/2006/04/10_reasons_to_e.html - This is one of many websites where you can find a copy of "10 Reasons to Eat Local Food."
www.organicconsumers.org/btc.htm - Read about the Organic Consumer Association's campaign to support local businesses and retailers, particularly those that are committed to providing organic and Fair Trade items.