Just what is this so called locavore or localvore movement and what does that mean to me?!
Actually, this word was word of the year in 2007 in the Oxford American Dictionary! It was created by Jessica Prentice of the San Francisco Bay area at the time of the World Environment Day in 2005.
Actually, this word was word of the year in 2007 in the Oxford American Dictionary! It was created by Jessica Prentice of the San Francisco Bay area at the time of the World Environment Day in 2005.
It means that one only eats (or strives to consume) foods that are locally produced, sometimes within 50-100 miles from where you live. If you live in a large metropolitan or an area out of the way, you may have to expand your idea of eating locally due to the logistics in your area.
Actually, this word was word of the year in 2007 in the Oxford American Dictionary! It was created by Jessica Prentice of the San Francisco Bay area at the time of the World Environment Day in 2005.
The situation right now is our food now travels an average of 1,500 miles before ending up in the local supermarket, and eventually, on our plates! It means that the globalization of our food supply is having some consequences on our environment, our health, our local communities and for sure impacts the taste of our food. Most of us have been unaware of the health impact and cost of the long distance journey such as air pollution, reduction of family farms and local community dollars….
The quality of our food has been in question lately and more people are desiring to know where their food is coming from, how it has handled, who grew it, and how it was cared for before we put it lovingly into our mouths!
The trend is changing and more people are passionate about the benefits of fresh and sustainably produced food. There are increasing amounts of community supported agriculture and farmers markets. Many are moving towards planting their own gardens, shopping at those farmers markets, joining a CSA….All in the interest of keeping the environment clean, eating food that has been grown and picked locally, full of nutrients and taste. Some are sharing their crops with neighbors and friends and are also preserving food for those seasons when it is not available fresh from the local sources.
Many approaches to this lifestyle can be developed, depending on factors such as the weather and seasons, and strategies for items grown only out of the country or area such as coffee, certain fruits, some spices….
So besides some of the obvious benefits of eating locally such as taste of the just picked produce, freshness of the foods, more nutritious, larger varieties, what are some of the other benefits of this locovore movement? Possibly conserving some energy and cutting down on pollution, and reduction of some of the large scale farms that tend to use higher amounts of pesticides and herbicides. The hidden costs to our environment include soil erosion, and chemical runoff. There may be less soil depletion because local farmers rotate their crops and livestock and allow soil to rest when needed.
What has been a plus for many people in their local community, is to be able to speak with the local farmers of their food, meet others from their community at the farmers markets and local health food stores – It is also about getting to know more people in the community and sharing ideas about items found within those local markets and possibly getting together to create healthy meals.
One might say this movement is not supporting the large corporations, truckers and many more people involved in the current distribution of food in our country, but many are more concerned at this point about their health and wellness, sources and care of the food they are consuming and are willing to strive for buying and consuming locally grown foods. There may still be times when buying locally for an item you crave or want for a recipe is impossible. You may have to buy something frozen or find some other compromise. Growing your own garden is a huge step to control what you are eating and how the plant was handled and cared for before consumption. Various plant foods can be grown in large pots, in raised beds in yards, planting in large flower boxes, and a new way of growing, hydroponically and aeroponically. The recent availability of the Tower Gardens by Juice Plus+ have been a huge plus for many who do not have the time, or space, to plant a garden in their yard. These Tower Gardens can be placed on balconies, in small backyard, or frontyard spaces, and the plants can be grown up vertically. Up to 28 plants can be planted on one tower and only take up about 2-1/2 feet around in space to grow. This Tower Garden uses 90% less water than a normal garden, and grows plants quickly that taste amazing. Look for these Towers in the Chicago O'
Hare airport, where they grow plant foods for various restaurants in the airport. You will find more and more on the rooftops of restaurants around the world. This way, chefs can pick their fresh, local produce right from the towers and prepare meals for their customers.
Having one in your own yard will provide you with the opportunity to grow your own plant foods that are picked at the peak of freshness for your family!
To learn more, or to order your Tower Garden, check out www.elaine.towergarden.com. To find out more about your local farmers markets, check with your local chamber of commerce in your area for a list of available times and locations! Enjoy those fresh, local foods!
Actually, this word was word of the year in 2007 in the Oxford American Dictionary! It was created by Jessica Prentice of the San Francisco Bay area at the time of the World Environment Day in 2005.
The situation right now is our food now travels an average of 1,500 miles before ending up in the local supermarket, and eventually, on our plates! It means that the globalization of our food supply is having some consequences on our environment, our health, our local communities and for sure impacts the taste of our food. Most of us have been unaware of the health impact and cost of the long distance journey such as air pollution, reduction of family farms and local community dollars….
The quality of our food has been in question lately and more people are desiring to know where their food is coming from, how it has handled, who grew it, and how it was cared for before we put it lovingly into our mouths!
The trend is changing and more people are passionate about the benefits of fresh and sustainably produced food. There are increasing amounts of community supported agriculture and farmers markets. Many are moving towards planting their own gardens, shopping at those farmers markets, joining a CSA….All in the interest of keeping the environment clean, eating food that has been grown and picked locally, full of nutrients and taste. Some are sharing their crops with neighbors and friends and are also preserving food for those seasons when it is not available fresh from the local sources.
Many approaches to this lifestyle can be developed, depending on factors such as the weather and seasons, and strategies for items grown only out of the country or area such as coffee, certain fruits, some spices….
So besides some of the obvious benefits of eating locally such as taste of the just picked produce, freshness of the foods, more nutritious, larger varieties, what are some of the other benefits of this locovore movement? Possibly conserving some energy and cutting down on pollution, and reduction of some of the large scale farms that tend to use higher amounts of pesticides and herbicides. The hidden costs to our environment include soil erosion, and chemical runoff. There may be less soil depletion because local farmers rotate their crops and livestock and allow soil to rest when needed.
What has been a plus for many people in their local community, is to be able to speak with the local farmers of their food, meet others from their community at the farmers markets and local health food stores – It is also about getting to know more people in the community and sharing ideas about items found within those local markets and possibly getting together to create healthy meals.
One might say this movement is not supporting the large corporations, truckers and many more people involved in the current distribution of food in our country, but many are more concerned at this point about their health and wellness, sources and care of the food they are consuming and are willing to strive for buying and consuming locally grown foods. There may still be times when buying locally for an item you crave or want for a recipe is impossible. You may have to buy something frozen or find some other compromise. Growing your own garden is a huge step to control what you are eating and how the plant was handled and cared for before consumption. Various plant foods can be grown in large pots, in raised beds in yards, planting in large flower boxes, and a new way of growing, hydroponically and aeroponically. The recent availability of the Tower Gardens by Juice Plus+ have been a huge plus for many who do not have the time, or space, to plant a garden in their yard. These Tower Gardens can be placed on balconies, in small backyard, or frontyard spaces, and the plants can be grown up vertically. Up to 28 plants can be planted on one tower and only take up about 2-1/2 feet around in space to grow. This Tower Garden uses 90% less water than a normal garden, and grows plants quickly that taste amazing. Look for these Towers in the Chicago O'
Hare airport, where they grow plant foods for various restaurants in the airport. You will find more and more on the rooftops of restaurants around the world. This way, chefs can pick their fresh, local produce right from the towers and prepare meals for their customers.
Having one in your own yard will provide you with the opportunity to grow your own plant foods that are picked at the peak of freshness for your family!
To learn more, or to order your Tower Garden, check out www.elaine.towergarden.com. To find out more about your local farmers markets, check with your local chamber of commerce in your area for a list of available times and locations! Enjoy those fresh, local foods!
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