3 Ways To Join The Local Food Movement

1. Eat your vegetables!

The USDA attributes 14 percent of all deaths in the US to poor diets and/or sedentary lifestyle. (I personally find this percentage very much on the low side.) You can improve your health, and the health of the planet by following food columnist Michael Pollan’s simple rule: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

2. Shop Outside of Supermarkets!

Finding locally produced food can be a hassle. They are not nearly as well marketed or a visible as the giant food chains. In the DC area, there are great farmers markets in Falls Church, the Clarendon section of Arlington, and in Georgetown. But for many, getting to know the lay of the land can be tricky.

Here are a few resources:

localharvest.org
sustainabletable.org
eatwellguide.org

3. Plan a Row for the Hungry!

As unemployment rises, more people are wondering how they will put food on their table. Here are some cool ways to help out AND boost your food security at home:

• Start a food bank out of a faith center or community center if there are no similar programs in your area to participate  (See www.yesmagazine.org/pantry)
• Contribute something from every shopping trip to a local shelter. Capitol Rehab of Arlington has worked with a local food shelter in Arlington, and believe me, the are very appreciative and could always use more assistance.
• Study (and/or teach) the art of cooking and preserving tasty, nutritious food on a budget.

Original article can be found at www.YesMagazine.org/lawn

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 1:43 pm and is filed under local food movement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.