What does it take to become a Locavore?…
Local food also known as regional food, food patriotism, or the local food movement, is a “collaborative effort to build more locally based, self-reliant food economies – one in which sustainable food production, processing, distribution, and consumption is integrated to enhance the economic, environmental and social health of a particular place” and is considered to be a part of the broader sustainability movement. It is part of the concept of local purchasing and local economies, a preference to buying locally produced goods and services. Those who prefer to eat locally grown/produced food sometimes call themselves locavores or localvores.

Local food systems are an alternative to the global corporate models where producers and consumers are separated through a chain of processors/manufacturers, shippers and retailers. As the food industry grows, the ‘middle man’ is increasingly able to control the quality of the food. Conversely, the local food system redevelops these relationships and encourages a return of quality control to the consumer and the producer. These quality characteristics are not only in the product but in the method of producing.

During the early 20th century, the demise of the family farm and the growth of corporate farms was experienced through much of the United States and Canada. In the late 1960s and early ’70s with the growth of the a “back to the land” movement there were increasing numbers of small farms selling a variety of products to local communities. Since the 1970s the increase of multinational food companies has increased the size of not only farms but also the overall food system. During this same time period, a slow and steady movement of farmers and consumers building relationships and changing purchasing habits occurred and is still occurring.

Support your local farmer.  Support organic.   Support healthy lifestyles.

(Taken from various articles)