What defines “local” food? Is it food from one’s nation? From one’s state or region? From farms within 50 miles of your house? One person might draw line a lines, say 300 miles from their home, another might try to buy food produced within a day’s leisurely drive of home.
Regardless of one’s precise definition, there are several actions people can take to promote local food systems:
-Learn what is seasonally approiate for your area and begin to build your diet around it.
- Shop at a local farmers market or join a community supported agriculture program (CSA). It’s a great place to meet like minded people, network, educate and learn. If your community doesn’t have a farmers market, you might want to help get one started.
- Ask the manager or chef of your favorite eating establishment how much of the food on the menu is locally grown. Encourage them to source food locally. Don’t forget about cafeteria’s and
- People can do the same at their local supermarket or school cafeteria. (*notice Tuesday, March 23rd the Geneva Green Market, NFP os hosting a Farmers Forum with a Chef Panel, see Calender)
- Host a harvest party that features locally available and in- season foods.
- Buy extra quantities of your favorite fruit or vegetable when it is in season and experiment with drying, canning, jamming, or otherwise preserving it for a later date.
- Plant a garden and grow as much of your own food as possible.
- Speak to your local politicians about forminga local food policy council to help guide decisions that affect the local foodshed.
