Local-- it just tastes better when it's close to home.

And we continue our journey of food...

but this time, we'll stay in your neighborhood.

Have you ever noticed how people mention how great the food in Italy is?  How it just doesn’t compare to any Italian restaurant in the U.S.?

The reason is because Italians typically use local produce.  Food tastes best when it’s ready and ripe... usually 24 hours before it’s eaten... not a week prior so it can be shipped 1,000 miles to the grocery store.

Local food has eco-benefits too since it greatly reduces the emissions from transport and supports small, community-based businesses.

Unfortunately, according to Foodroutes.org, the U.S. has lost 4.7 million farms since 1935.

The message needs to be sent that we support our farmers!

Farmers Markets are an excellent choice for supporting local produce and meat.  Feel free to ask them if their products are organic.   If they’re not, you’re planting the seed that one of their potential customers would support organic.  Also, they might utilize organic practices even if they don’t have “Organic certification” due to the lengthy process (see the post below about organic foods).

If you’re living in a city, or if your wedding/event is in the city, check with your chamber of commerce to see if it has a “Green City Market" (such as the one my caterer is using in Chicago).  Yes, there are farmers who will venture into the city.  

For a Farmers Market in your area, you can check out localharvest.org (from the previous post) or you can also do a quick search-by-city on the USDA website.

And if you're looking for new recipes to showcase your farmer's market goods, try a few from this cookbook--- guaranteed to help you whip up delicious seasonal meals!