How to Eat Local

Eating local is important because it reduces pollution (transporting food), keeps your money in your local community, and supports local farmers. There are health benefits to eating local, in season foods as well.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Finding a farmer's market in your area, will help you eat local. There is a very good link in the resource section below called local harvest. If there is a farmer's market in your area, it will be listed there.

2. Find a local farm that lets you pick your own. This is not only local it is fun. If you need help finding a farm that allows you to pick your own, go to pickyourown.org which is also listed in the resource section below.

3. Join a CSA. CSA means community supported agriculture. You sign up with a CSA and pay dues. In return they will deliver a basket of fresh local produce regularly.

4. Take up gardening. There is nothing more local than what is grown in your own backyard. This time of year, I make it a habit to eat at least one fresh, raw food from the garden each day. The enzymes and nutrition from your own organic garden are priceless.

5. Rediscover foraging. Do you have a neglected tree in your backyard that produces nuts or fruit? Foraging, the act of searching for food or provisions is a lost art. See what wonderful things are growing around you that you have forgotten about.

Resources

• PickYourOwn.org
• Local Havest
• How to Feng Shui: Encourage Health

[asksummer]

on 7/11/2008 Farmer's markets rock!

[3-Point]

on 7/10/2008 Excellent article! I know someone who participates in a local vegetable co-op and she loves it! Maybe I should give it a try.

[cstanz]

on 7/9/2008 I love the farmer's markets, excellent produce!!!

[MrMaranatha]

on 7/9/2008 A Plus!!!

[MrMaranatha]

on 7/9/2008 Yum... Fresh Sweet Corn.... torn right off stalk, walked into the House and dropped into the boiler... Or Blanched and frozen for later use... OHHH Yes!!!