From Field to Plate

The importance of eating local

by Tracy Horner Cullen

You may have heard that eating local food is healthier for us, our environment, and local economies. Food that is produced closer to home travels less and is generally fresher when it arrives at the grocery store. Reducing the miles food travels reduces the impact on the environment and on carbon emissions. Plus, by supporting local farmers, we can actively help each other out by keeping food dollars within our local economy.

But how do you go about purchasing and eating local foods? You may be asking yourself questions such as “Where do I start? How do I know if it is local? How local is local? How do I know if I am making a difference?”

Read on to find out how to break down some of the myths about eating local, and to be equipped with a few tools to help make changes in the way that you and your family eat.
 
From the Field
Here on Vancouver Island we have a wonderful climate for growing food year round. Many locally produced fruits and vegetables are available 12 months of the year and are sold at a variety of grocery stores. All you have to do is ask!

Is local food more expensive?
This is an ongoing debate, but local food is not always more expensive—especially if you purchase food in season. Storage and transportation costs drive up food prices. Food that has just been harvested and brought to the supermarket may be less expensive than food that is out of season and was flown in from overseas. It is easy to find out what food is in season by checking the Island Farm Fresh directory at www.islandfarmfresh.com.

Where can I find local food?
Almost all supermarkets have heard the demands from consumers to offer more local fruits and vegetables. So, all you have to do is look for the labels. Dairy products are usually well marked as well. It can be more difficult to determine where grain products and meats are from. You will probably have to ask a store manager to find out where the products were grown.

Of course, you are guaranteed to find local food if you grow your own or visit your local farmers market or farm gate, or participate in farm-box programs or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. You can locate these local food options by visiting www.islandfarmfresh.com or the BC Farmers Market Association website at www.bcfarmersmarket.org. For more information about growing your own food, visit the LifeCycles Project Society at www.lifecyclesproject.ca.

How local is local?
Depending on the time of year, you can find foods produced within 10 miles of your home. More often, however, it is more common to find food produced within B.C. or the Pacific Northwest. It is always better to choose food produced as close to home as possible. Every time you make this decision, the environment thanks you!

Again, growing your own food is the most local option. Consider planting a backyard vegetable garden or a deck- or sunny-window-container garden. You do not necessarily need a lot of space or know-how to grow your own food.
 
Does locally grown mean that it is organic?
No, these two terms are different. Food produced locally is not necessarily organic. To find out if a food is organic, look for labels at the market or ask the farmer about his or her growing methods.

To Your Plate
Many of us may be eating out less and preparing more meals at home. Preparing foods from scratch keeps food costs down, and allows us to have more control over what we put into our mouths. It is also a healthy way to feed your family.

How can I learn to cook local foods?
There are many cookbooks today that focus on foods produced in our region, and combine seasonal ingredients. Look online or at your local bookstore for recipe books that focus on foods grown in the Pacific Northwest, or even Vancouver Island. You will learn a lot about what is available in season, as well as how to prepare healthy and local meals for your family.

Is local food healthier?
There is considerable debate as to whether local food is healthier for you. A recent Dietitians of Canada article states, “Evidence shows that locally grown and produced vegetables and fruits can be more nutritious than those transported from longer distances.” The evidence supporting higher nutritional value for locally produced meats and grains is not as strong.

Also, by buying and preparing your own local fruits and vegetables, you are less likely to use pre-packaged convenience foods. Homemade alternatives can be lower in sodium and unhealthy fats and higher in whole grains, making the diet more wholesome. You can find cost-saving tips to help you eat well by visiting “Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide” at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide.

We all want to do the best for our families, our environment and local economies. By choosing local foods, you could be working to positively support these issues. However, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Start small. Today, make one conscious choice to eat something local. Your body, your family, the environment and the local economy will benefit.

For more information about healthy eating and locally produced foods, contact your local community nutritionist.

Tracy Horner Cullen, MS, RD, is a Community Nutritionist with the Vancouver Island Health Authority. She can be reached at Tracy.Cullen@viha.ca or 250-519-5123.