This is a guest post by Kim De
Buying food grown in a sustainable way is becoming important to more and more people. If you truly want to do this, how will you know if what you are buying fits your expectations?
In a definition, sustainable agriculture is healthy for customers, is humane for workers and animals, provides a fair wage and does not harm the environment. Sounds simple enough, but how is this enforced? After all, it is a philosophy, not a set of rules.
One step in the right direction is to buy your food locally. In doing that you know it has a low carbon footprint because it did not travel across the country. Another is to buy in season so your food does not travel from another country to land on your plate.
What Does Local Mean?
The word local, like sustainable, is a bit confusing. It means something different to every person and since there is no legal definition, there is no way to enforce it. The website Sustainable Table has a description I found perfect:
“Practically speaking, local food production can be thought of in
concentric circles that start with growing food at home. The next
ring out might be food grown in our immediate community
- then state, region, and country.
For some parts of the year or for some products that thrive
in the local climate, it may be possible to buy closer to home.
At other times, or for less common products,
an expanded reach may be required.”
Local vs. sustainable
Don’t assume that just because you buy directly from the farmer that the practices employed are sustainable. A product can be grown close to where it is purchased and still come from a farm where the animals are mistreated and pesticides and chemicals are used in the growing process. So how do you know? You ask questions.
• Talk to the manager at the grocery store.
◦ If they advertise local food, ask where it came from
◦ Do you know how it was raised?
◦ Have you visited the farm?
• Talk to the farmer at the market. Be friendly and inquisitive.
◦ Just because a farm isn’t certified organic doesn’t mean they don’t employ the practices. Becoming certified is a terribly expensive process and many small farmers can’t afford the certificate, but still follow the practices. Ask if they follow organic standards.
◦ Ask if they ship their product to another state, or to other regions.
◦ Find out how fresh the produce is – does it need to be used right away of do you have a few days?
In short, if you really wan to buy sustainable products, you will have a better chance if you buy directly from your local farmer and talk to them to make sure they follow practices you believe in.
For listings of farmers markets and farm stands in your area, visit Local Harvest.
