Why Local?
Food has changed.
Most produce in the US is picked before peak ripeness and travels an average of 1500 miles before it reaches your supermarket 4 to 7 days later. It’s a system that was built on the efficiencies of manufacturing and distribution developed over the last 100 years. Economies of scale have moved us toward fewer and larger farms that ship their crops longer distances. But we’re finding that what works for widgets, in many ways falls short for food.
While the tomato that we buy today is less expensive, it turns out that it has less flavor, lower nutrition and it is prone to larger food safety risks. The distance it travels not only requires more packaging and fuel but a rise in gas prices today means a rise in our food prices. And despite a doubling in production, this system gives less money to farmers than they earned 40 years ago while taking money out of the local community.
The good news is that simply buying local starts to change all this again.
Stay tuned -- this section of our website goes live in just a few days with lots more information and resources!
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Better for You |
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Better for the Gorge |
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Better for the World |
