Local Farms and Local Food

As fuel prices rise, air quality diminishes, and green space is transformed into shopping centers, interest in locally grown food and sustainable small farms has increased. We are fortunate to have grocery stores that are well stocked with fruits and vegetables. However, this year-round convenience is not without cost. Much of the produce found on grocery store shelves comes from California, Florida, Washington State, or Chile, traveling an average of 1,300 miles for seven to 14 days before it arrives at your local store. A large amount of fossil fuel is used to package and transport produce, and farmers choose vegetable and fruit varieties based on shelf life and appearance, not taste and texture. Supporting local sustainable agriculture has many potential benefits. ? Improved quality, nutrition, and flavor. Locally grown food is picked at peak quality and can be on your dinner table within hours, offering the most in flavor and nutrition. ? Support for local growers and rural communities. When shopping at local farms and farmers markets, food dollars stay local benefiting the local economy. ? Support for the environment. Purchasing from local sustainable farmers shows support for open space, clean air, and water and preservation of farm land. ? The opportunity to learn about farm life. A child who helps choose fruits and vegetables is more likely to enjoy eating them. Visit a farm with your family and enjoy outdoor physical activity at the same time. Introduce a child to a farmer to help them appreciate the source of food. ? Information about the origin of food. When shopping at a farmers market or local farm, strike up a conversation with the vendor to learn about growing and harvesting. You may be pleased to learn about pasture-raised meats, vegetables grown without pesticides, and the availability of the old variety of apple that was in grandma’s field. In addition, you may discover new varieties of vegetables. To locate locally grown farm products and farms near you visit:

• Carolina Farm Stewardship lists farms in central North Carolina, www.carolinafarmstewards.org.
• Local farms and farm products nationwide are listed at www.localharvest.org.
• North Carolina Farm Fresh, www.ncfarmfresh.com, lists roadside farm markets, pick-your-own farms, community farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms.
• North Carolina General Store, sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, will direct you to farms, farmers markets, nurseries, agricultural goods, and services in North Carolina www.ncagr.com/ncproducts/.
• The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program has a listing of farms in the western part of North Carolina, www.asapconnections.org.
• Foothills Fresh, a project of North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Alexander, Burke, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, and Lincoln counties, promotes local farms and local food, www.foothillsfresh.com.