Reasons to Buy Local Foods

Here are some good reasons to buy locally produced foods ...

" ... Small farms encourage diversity in planting and promote diverse ecosystems. Diversity leads to more nutrients in the soil, a more abundant wildlife and healthier harvests."

" ... 90% of all fuel used in food production is spent transporting, packaging, and marketing our food. ... almost 10% of our total national energy consumption... Buying locally decreases the “food miles” and amount of fuel and pollution needed to deliver your food ..."

" According to the USDA, local farms are more productive than factory farms .."

"... Since 1935 the U.S. has lost over 4.5 million farms. Supporting local farmers supports the local economy, invests in the future of your community, and preserves a way of life."

" ... vegetables and fruit that you buy at the supermarket have traveled an average of 1,500 miles and have spent up to two weeks in transport. ... are often picked weeks before they hit maturity and do not have time to develop fully. They have lost most of their nutritious vitamins and minerals."

Via: FarmEcology LINK

FarmEcology - Local Food for U of Penn Students

Penn students are taking an active role in bringing local foods into their dining halls ... one shining example is FarmEcology which connects the schools with local farms ... and has spread to other colleges and universities.

" ... FarmEcology is a student-initiated endeavor that is raising awareness and educating Penn's campus about the benefits of local foods. ... co-founders, Emma Kirwan and Rachel Meyer, spent the past semester exploring and researching opportunities for connecting the University with local farms, contacting regional food experts for advice, and researching similar programs that are developing across the country at similar institutions."

" ... Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale are all in various stages of planning or have already implemented local food programs in campus-run dining halls. ... FarmEcology is one step in an overall University effort to continue a "green campaign" which was launched in 2002 with the purchase of wind energy."

Via: University of Pennsylvania FarmEcology LINK