1 . The faces behind the farm

“ I buy local because it tastes better and I know who is producing my food . I love being able to pick up my CSA and talk to my farmer .”

Isn ’ t it strange that we don ’ t know where our food comes from other than an occasional sticker on the apple or broccoli ? By keeping your food supply close to home , you can easily establish a connection between you , your farmer , and your food . Making this connection happens by cooking new or old recipes , eating strawberries right out of the green pint basket , talking to your local farmer , mingling with friends at the market , and just knowing that you are eating fresh . It feels good !

2 . Ripeness & Taste

“ The difference in the taste between what I grow in my garden or pick up at the farmers market is night and day from the grocery store . I don ’ t buy out-of-season tomatoes anymore .”

Tomatoes ripen better on the vine where they maintain their flavor , color and sweetness . Seasonal eating helps you discover the tastes and possibilities of foods through fresh , seasonal cooking food adventures ! From parsnips and beets , to kale and leeks , discovering new foods opens up endless possibilities .

3 . Environmental Impact

The average distance squash travels is 781 miles from farm-to-plate and most squash are imported . Although apples are primarily grown in the United States , they travel farther at 1,550 miles .

In buying local , you have an immediate impact on the local food system and economy . You reduce the carbon footprint

and miles traveled of vegetables by switching from supermarket products to locally grown . Studies show that a diet made up of regional food uses 17 times less petroleum than a typical diet bought from the store and shipped across the country and the world .

4 . Your dollar goes farther

The lives of two ears of corn . There were once two ears of corn , one was grown in Oregon , the other in California .

Both were bought from the local grocer for a dollar each . The Oregon dollar was used by the grocer to pay a local distributor , who paid the farmer , who paid their staff , who paid for their kid to go to dance class from the teacher who happens to be your neighbor . The dollar from California was used by the grocer to pay the distributor from Portland , who paid the wholesaler in Los Angeles , who paid the trucker and so on until it eventually trickles down to the local farmer and community . When you add up the real-life benefits of buying local , it couldn ’ t be a better deal !

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