You may have noticed the shift in your neighborhood. Individuals and even institutions like restaurants are making the transition toward eating more locally grown produce and even meat. Locally grown means that the farmer who planted, grew and picked your food is a neighbor. Locally grown food is fresher (the average conventionally grown carrot has travelled 1,838 miles to get your plate) and tastier than food that was grown and picked by workers who are often overworked and underpaid.
 
Local doesn’t have a distinct definition per say, there are no guidelines like there are for defining organic foods. Local can mean different things to different people depending on where they live, how long their growing season is and what products they are looking for. For some people in warmer climates being a “locavore” may mean that they have the luxury of buying produce that is grown just a few miles from home. For those who live in colder climates this may mean that they can chose local produce in the summer months, and in the colder months may defer to food that is grown sustainably if not locally.
 
Sustainable farming is producing foods using methods that,respect workers, are humane to animals, provide fair wages to farmers, support farming communities and do not harm the environment. Sustainable farming practices are a lot different than the majority of agricultural practices that are followed the US today which relies on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, large amounts of water, major transportation systems and factory-style practices for raising livestock and crops.
 
Choosing local, sustainably grown foods is one of the best things you can do for the health of your family, your community and the planet.