Video: Michael Pollan, “Why Eat Local?”
By WorldLink Staff | May 16, 2012 | 1 Comment
Do you know where your dinner was grown? When we’re in the supermarket, it’s easy to assume that all the produce is grown and harvested somewhere nearby. Yet, more often than not, those bell peppers and that lettuce were grown thousands of miles away, nowhere near the idyllic country farm we have in our heads. Thankfully, the growing movement to “eat local” provides a delicious, sustainable alternative to a globalized food network.
In this video from Nourish Short Films, Michael Pollan discusses the many benefits of eating locally, noting, “There is… the very important benefit of keeping farmers in business. Farmers add a lot to a community. They have great wisdom about the natural world.”
What local foods are you putting on your plate? Join the conversation on Facebook.
Eat Your View
From rooftop gardens to transition towns, more and more people are embracing their local food system and shopping closer to home. Forming a connection with plants and animals grown in your area helps to create a sense of community and pride in your meals, while ensuring that 100% of your grocery dollars support your local farmers and businesses.
Here are some ways to engage with your local food system:
- Shop. When was the last time you visited a farmers market, or participated in a CSA? Take advantage of the season to stock up on delicious, fresh produce. Locate the farmers market closest to you at FarmersMarket.com, or search a national database of CSAs at Local Harvest.
- Learn. Nourish’s Seasonal Circle tool is a great learning activity to teach children about fresh, seasonal foods. Hang it in your kitchen as a reminder of what’s in season! You can download all our Food System Tools, along with our brand-new Food System Map, here.
- Volunteer. Spend a day at a local or urban farm to learn about the farmer’s growing practices and to pick up some skills yourself. Even a trip to a Pick Your Own farm or orchard is fun for the whole family, and will teach children about where their foods come from. PickYourOwn.org keeps a database of national and international Pick Your Own farms.
- Grow. Nothing is more local than your own backyard! Find resources for starting your own home garden at The Vegetable Garden. For aspiring gardeners living in cities, Novella Carpenter’s The Essential Urban Farmer is a must-read.
Finally, be sure to check out the Eat Well Guide, which can point you to sustainable foods and businesses of all varieties in your area. Happy eating!
More: Agriculture, Environmental Issues, Food and Community, Food Literacy, Fruits and Vegetables, Michael Pollan, Shopping Wisely, Sustainable Farming
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I hadn't heard of Nourish so I'm glad you posted that. I'll have to check it out! I always make a list before I go to the grocery store because it helps me to not make as many impulse buys and I would probably forget what I needed otherwise. I try to look for food without confusing ingredients that I can't pronounce. I also usually try to go when I'm not hungry or else I end up buying things just because they look good, ha.