With the food we eat traveling an average of 1,300 miles to show up on our tables, the time might be right for more people to consider buying more food from local sources. By considering the chemicals that have to be used to preserve the food and the petroleum the trucks use for delivery, buying locally as much as possible can not only have an impact on the environment but also on your health. Buying from local farmers means you know the where/what/when of your food - which is very important if you want to eat the best way possible. Also, buying local supports your local economy, helping to keep your money in your community. In our “regular” grocery stores, I see oranges from other countries - and I live in California. Go figure!

Farmers in 2002 earned their lowest real net cash income since 1940. Meanwhile corporate agribusiness profits have nearly doubled since 1990 – USDA, 2002

For those of you looking for ways (and places) to buy more local food, you might want to check out Food Routes. The site gives you tips on how to buy more local food, where you can find this food in your community, how buying local affects the environment and your health, and has the latest news/discussions on farming, agriculture, and the food that we all eat.

Buying local will strengthen your community’s economic base and place your region’s future in the hands of those who care.

I cannot recommend enough the act of buying as much of your food from local sources - the food tastes better, has less pesticides, and the farmers themselves make way more money than they do selling to chain grocery stores.

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