Becoming a Locavore

I posted this on my Facebook page but it's good straightforward advice so I though I'd post it here, too!

Become a Locavore

Carnivore, herbivore, omnivore-when you are a locavore you can be all three! A locavore is a person who chooses to focus their diet on food that can be obtained within 100 miles of their home. The benefits of becoming a locavore are numerous:
· Food travels less distance thereby reducing the transportation cost of food, environmentally and financially.
· Food is fresher because it comes straight from the farm or producer to you!
· Money spent on local beef, chicken, eggs, fruits, and vegetables support your community. Boost your local economy by spending you hard earned money in your own locale.
· Become a part of a movement that encourages community, ecology, and economy.
· Encourages seasonal eating. Seasonal eating is using the produce that is in season in your region. We are lucky to live in Louisiana with its long growing season and bounty of options.

Besides all of these lofty benefits, it’s so relaxing to browse your local farmer’s market, talk to the farmers, bakers, artists, and neighbors while you peruse all the selections.

Here is how to become a Locavore:

1. Go to the Farmer’s Market. There are two in Baton Rouge, The Red Stick Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays in the Unitarian parking lot and the downtown Farmer’s Market held every Saturday from 8-12. Denham Springs also started its own Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings.
2. Lobby your local supermarket. Some grocery stores will take customer requests. Ask your grocery to carry more local produce and meat and more products from local vendors. Keep asking until you get results.
3. Choose 5 foods you can buy locally. Switch out buying okra, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, strawberries to Louisiana grown.
4. Consider joining a CSA-Community Supported Agriculture. Here is the brief: CSAs are farms that sell shares to people in the community. In exchange for purchasing your share you get fresh produce and sometimes eggs from the farm, usually around 20 pounds per week during the growing season. You can also volunteer on a CSA in exchange for part of a share. Check out www.localharvest.com for CSAs in our area.
5. Preserve produce for the winter. Can fruits and vegetables, just like grandma did! It’s really easier than you think.
6. Find restaurants that support local growers. Ask or look for restaurants who advertise local food. Chef John Folse is really into this sort of thing!
7. Ask where your food is from at the grocery store or produce stands like Southern Produce or Fresh Pickens. You have a right as a consumer to know where your food is coming from.
8. Visit a farm! Go blueberry picking in Clinton or strawberry picking in Ponchatoula. It makes for a great family or couple outing! And it’s cheaper than buying from a store!