Local Food Resources
Reasons to Eat Local
(excerpted from sustainabletable.org and lifebeginsat30.com)
Eating local means more for the local economy. According to a study by the New Economics Foundation in London, a dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy. When businesses are not owned locally, money leaves the community at every transaction.
Local Food is better for the environment. In the U.S., the average grocery store's produce travels nearly 1,500 miles between the farm where it was grown and your refrigerator.ii About 40% of our fruit is produced overseas and, even though broccoli is likely grown within 20 miles of the average American's house, the broccoli we buy at the supermarket travels an average 1,800 miles to get there. Notably, 9% of our red meat comes from foreign countries, including locations as far away as Australia and New Zealand.
Food processors also use a large amount of paper and plastic packaging to keep food fresh (or at least looking fresh) for a longer period of time. This packaging eventually becomes waste that is difficult, if not impossible, to reuse or recycle.
Aside from the environmental harm that can result from processing, packaging and transporting long-distance foods, the industrial farms on which these foods are often produced are major sources of air and water pollution. Many small farms, even if they haven't taken the certification step, still utilize sustainable or organic farming methods that help protect the air, soil and water.
Local food just plain tastes better. Ever tried a tomato that was picked within 24 hours? 'Nuff said.
Adirondack Harvest
An excellent resource that gives a comprehensive list of local food producers in the Adirondacks
Adirondack Farmers Market
Lists local farmers markets and food producers in the Adirondacks
Tuckers Taters (Gabriels, NY)
Eat Wild
Vermont Locavore
Sustainable Table
Harmony Hills Farmstead (Malone, NY)
