A locavore is simply a person who chooses to purchase and eat food grown or produced within a one hundred mile radius from her/his home. This term was coined within the past decade and grew in popularity with the 2007 book of essays titled
Most of us can recall our last trip to the market as being quite a global experience. We purchased tomatoes from Mexico, bananas from Hawaii, apples from Oregon, potatoes from Idaho, almonds from Peru, and plums from Chile. A locavore who lives in New Jersey would not have purchased any of those items because those states and countries are not within a hundred mile radius of her home.
In this quest for locally grown produce, meats, and dairy, one must get creative. Community Supported Agriculture, CSA for short, is an opportunity in local towns for people to purchased produce grown on local farms. Often, these CSAs offer fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis for a similar or less cost than the price of the produce found at supermarkets. The CSAs will have a weekly pick-up place either on their farm or a more centralized area and it is there that you will receive a large amount of seasonal and fresh, locally grown organic produce.
There are also several communities that have delis or butcher shops that sell meat procured from local farms. These shops are more of a challenge to find and often the prices can be expensive, thus many who choose to become a locavore do lead a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.
Others have decided to find a way to eat natural and locally grown food by either having their own garden or being a part of a community garden. There are a plethora of books today detailing how to grow vegetables, herbs and fruit either on a patio if you have a smaller house, in a large yard if you have the space, or indoors if you don’t have a yard. Whether you live in a rural area or in a city, it is possible to grow your own produce. There are more and more community gardens to choose to participate in as well. As cities begin to recognize the impact of locally grown produce on the environment and the health of citizens, rooftop gardens, school gardens and community gardens are literally sprouting up. A community garden offers one or more plots of land to you where you can plant any type of fruit, vegetable or herb you would like based on your climate and season. While you are there you will get to know people who have plots in that community garden as well. You will be able to learn from your garden neighbors and make some new friends.
For those who are truly ready to become a full-fledged locavore or those who just want to begin to try to eat some locally grown food, the options are available to begin. As you stroll through the supermarket on your next trip see if you are able to locate produce grown in your own state, or head online to search for a CSA or community garden. Your friends will thank you as you share your next great locally grown fresh-baked apple pie, and it is certain they will want your recipe as well as your CSA connection!
