Why the interest in local foods?

March 19th, 2009 at 11:47am Constance McCarthy

You might be thinking, “I get my food locally, so why all the talk about local foods?” When we’re speaking of local foods, we’re referring to foods that were grown, produced, or raised within a certain distance from one’s home. This distance varies from person to person, and could range from a 100 mile radius, to Illinois and Wisconsin, to the entire Midwest. Local foods can include veggies, meat, fruit, nuts, honey, dairy products, and grains. Some folks who knit are even interested in finding local fibers.

Foods that are manufactured or processed in our area may or may not fall into this category. Indeed, some of these foods are made from ingredients that come from far away, even from another country. The only way to find out is to ask questions. For example, one member of our Local Foods Working Group has discovered corn chips that are manufactured in Janesville from corn that is grown in this area.

I find it fascinating that folks who support local foods do so for such a wide variety of reasons. Some want to support the local economy and keep their money in our community. Buying local foods is also a great way to support smaller family farms. In these tough economic times, many of us want to do what we can to keep our community afloat.

Others interested in local foods seek to promote food security. This refers to the availability of food and people’s access to it. Instead of being dependent on food grown by a stranger far away, some find comfort in purchasing their food from a store, farmer, or producer whom they have come to know and trust.

Some local food supporters are interested in decreasing the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, and growth regulators in vegetable and animal production. They’re concerned about possible effects of these substances on humans and the environment. When you get to know your farmer, at a farmers’ market on the farm itself, you can ask questions about his or her farming practices, and encourage and support the use of the practices your favor. For folks concerned about being good environmental stewards, buying food from farmers who are themselves good environmental stewards makes sense.

Going green is another general motivation for some folks seeking out local foods. By developing a closer connection to the source of their food, they can help promote the development of farm systems that are sustainable and protect our land and water. Certain farming practices improve our topsoil and groundwater, enhance biodiversity, create healthy soils, and decrease the carbon footprint of the food we eat.

Another group that comes to mind are those who simply enjoy the taste of very fresh food. Food from local growers is picked at the peak of its freshness and taste, and is sometimes sold on the very day it is harvested. What could be more delicious than that?

Entry Filed under: Eat locally