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Ten Reasons for Eating Local

1. Locally grown food tastes better

Food grown in Washington was probably picked within the last day or two and is crisp, sweet, and loaded with flavor. And from Seattle Farmers Markets, talented chefs and their fabulous restaurants to food coops, we have lots of opportunities to get our hands on local food. Produce flown or trucked in from California, Mexico, or New Zealand is much older. We are lucky in Seattle to have a staggering diversity of fruit orchards, year-round vegetable farms, salmon fisheries, and more.

2. Local produce is better for you

Fresh produce loses nutrients quickly, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink, and produce loses its vitality. Buying local lets you get food that is at the peak of flavor and nutritive value. Our bodies naturally crave seasonal crops, requiring more hearty potatoes and cabbages when weather turns colder, and lighter salad greens and cucumbers when it is warmer. Shopping locally tunes you in with the seasons.

3. Local Food Preserves Genetic Diversity

The modern industrial food system favors varieties with thick skins that can survive packing and shipping, leaving few varietal options. Family farmers place value on different things, like choosing varieties that are uniquely suited to the Puget Sound region, often favoring heirloom varieties that have been passed down from generation to generation. Old varieties contain genetic material from hundreds of years of human selection; they may someday provide the genes needed to create varieties that will thrive in a changing climate.

4. Local food is Genetically Modified Organism Free

A June 2001 survey by ABC News showed that 93% of Americans want labels on gmo food - most so that they can avoid it. Biotech companies currently only license gmo fruits and vegetables to large commercial growers, which means that local farmers will guarantee a non-gmo source.

5. Local food supports local farming families

From Boistfort Valley Farm to Skagit River Ranch, we can support talented and hardworking farm families from disappearing, as each 5 year agricultural census shows they are – less than 2% of the population is currently a farming family. A typical farmer gets paid 10 cents of the retail food dollar, but buying directly from the producer or conscientious retailer keeps more $ in their pocket and their family on the land.

6. Local food builds community

Chat with Fong Cha of Children’s Garden or discuss goat cheese with Steve Phillips of Port Madison Farm - it’s a great connection for eater and grower. Knowing farmers gives you insight into the seasons, the weather, and the accessible miracle of raising food.

7. Local food preserves open space

When more people put their dollars into the pockets of farmers and show that their work is valuable, farmland becomes less likely to be developed. We face enormous pressures in the Puget Sound area with a high migration rate, putting our area at particular risk.

8. Local Food benefits wildlife

The habitat of a farm - the patchwork of fields, meadows, woods, ponds and buildings - is the perfect environment for many beloved species of wildlife, including bluebirds, herons, bats, rabbits, and eagles.

9. Local food supports a clean environment

If recent floods are any indication, land-use in our area may not always be in our collective best interest. A family farm however, is a place where resources like fertile soil and clean water are valued. According to some estimates, farmers who practice conservation tillage can sequester 12-14 % of the carbon emitted by vehicles and industry.

10. Local food is about the future

By supporting Washington farmers today, you can help ensure that there will be farms in our community tomorrow, and that future generations will enjoy all the jerusalem artichokes, smoked salmon, goat cheese, kale, eggs, peaches and more that this region has to offer. Viva Cascadia!

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