It may look delicious and taste out of this world, but have you ever wondered how the food you prepare at home or enjoy in a restaurant got on your plate? More and more people are beginning to question their own diets, and it's no secret that the demand for organically grown food has spurred a desire to become a more health-conscious world to live in. Today, though, it seems that the trend has gone a step further. In fact, the New Oxford American Dictionary's 2007 Word of the Year was "locavore," which means someone who eats food grown within a 100 to 150-mile radius from their home.
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Louis Landrum and Kay Glass offer delicious fresh produce at Louis's Fresh Veggies in Longview.
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Amy Efurd hands a patron a fresh-peeled peach, a standard at Efurd Orchards, Inc. in Pittsburg.
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Fresh fruits and veggies found at Eford Orchards, Inc.
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This trend prompts consumers to buy from local food stands, farmers' markets or even grow their own food, with the argument that local products are more nutritious and taste better. It's also an environmentally friendly means of obtaining food, since grocery stores that import their foods use more fossil fuels and non-renewable resources.
But how does someone become even a part-time locavore?
Why eat locally?
Louis Landrum, owner of Louis's Fresh Veggies in Longview, and Amy Efurd, co-owner of Efurd Orchards, Inc. in Pittsburg, agree that there are tons of reasons consumers should flock to fruits and veggies grown locally.
"For one, the foods just taste better and are packed with nutrition and the vitamins you need," Louis said. "Big companies tend to put additives in their foods to preserve their products. There's so much junk out there nowadays."
Amy adds that knowing who grows your produce is a powerful thing.
"If you shop at a giant supermarket, you don't know who all has handled the food and what all it's been exposed to," she said. "If you buy locally, you're able to talk to the farmer who grew the produce. You get to ask questions and learn how the food you purchase is grown or raised."
Purchasing products from local farmers and food producers keeps more money in the community. It's good for the environment because the average American dinner travels 1,500 miles before reaching the dinner plate. Eating local food greatly reduces the consumption of fossil fuels and wasteful packing materials.
"It's definitely good for the economy," Amy said. "It also makes for a nice outing with the family; instead of just going to a movie or the mall, you can spend time in the outdoors with loved ones while you hunt for fresh fruits and veggies."
Smart shoppers
While eating only locally grown foods may seem like a daunting task, there are certainly steps you can take to benefit yourself, your community and your planet. Louis and Amy offer up some suggestions:
- Start small. Rather than trying to replace everything in your kitchen all at once, try swapping out just five local foods. Fruits and veggies are the most readily available foods in East Texas.
- Know your season. When you shop at farmers markets and produce stands, knowing what to expect will make decisions much easier. Learn what grows in your area when and talk to the growers about what will be coming in the future.
- Go early. For the best selection, arrive in the A.M. The best goods usually go first or are already sold out before the workday is done.
- Plan meals ahead of time. Do some meal-planning before visiting, and shop accordingly. That way, no fresh food is wasted.
- Get advice. If you find a new fruit or veggie you haven't tried before, ask the seller how to prepare it, store it, etc. This if your opportunity to ask the seller directly about the produce they peddle.
- Become self-sufficient. Growing your own little garden will probably make you feel good about yourself and how you're affecting your environment. Green up your home \— even it it's a small garden on an apartment balcony, you can still grow herbs and small veggies.
- Visit www.100milediet.org for more info on how you can live like a locavore.
