How to Find Locally Grown Food

Our food typically travels great distances before it finally comes to our homes. Our produce is not able to be as fresh and is picked before its optimum time to allow for the long trip ahead. Additionally, when there are issues with one processing plant it can allow illness and even death through a large population (as discovered at a peanut processing plant in Georgia).

A relatively new focus of eating locally has developed from these problems. By eating locally grown food (often from smaller and organic farms) we are able to enjoy fresher produce (picked at the peak of ripeness) and are able to know more about what we eat.

Searching for local farms, co-ops, farmer's markets, and other sources for local produce can easily be found with a quick search at LocalHarvest.org. Simply type in your zipcode and you will be provided with a list of local resources. Another source specifically for farms that will sell to local families is provided by Rodale Institute at RodaleInstitute.org/farm_locator.

Since this may be a different way for your family to prepare their meals you may also be interested in recipes for your new local produce lifestyle. Epicurious.com offers a great selection of recipes under their "Seasonal Cooking" section.

For additional information on the local food trend, you may be interested in the EatLocalChallenge.com blog. You will be able to find current information and tips to living the local food lifestyle.