For the past 6 months or so I have been trying to eat local as much as possible. Because I live near some of the richest farm land in the world, it has been fairly easy…until now. The farmer’s markets have closed, my garden is done for the winter, and I didn’t do much preserving this year. The local health food store has a few items. Some cabbage and apples. I have a bunch of chestnuts from a local chestnut tree. But that is not enough to make a meal!
I thing eating local is good for many reasons. The food is fresher, I like supporting my local small farms, I don’t worry abaout how much petroleum was used to get my good to me. However, I don’t feel the need to be a purist. Sometimes I just need to eat fresh pineapple and that is not grown anywhere close to me!
The important thing is to be aware of where my food comes from and make the best choices I can. So until spring arrives and the farmer’s markets open up again I will buy food that has traveled. But I can still make sure it is organic, was farmed as sustainably as possible, and that is uses the smallest amount of packaging possible. I can look for fair trade items, that will help third world farmers get a fair price for their work. And as always I look for real food that provides real nourishment.
Bon Appetite!