What is a Locavore?

Locavore is a fairly new word, only hitting the Oxford dictionary in 2007. It is credited to Jessica Prentice of the San Francisco Bay area. The meaning of the word is a simple one, a locavore is a person who eats only locally grown, or produced food.

Each person is going to have their own definition of what is local and what is not. For some “local” means food that is grown, or produced, within a 100 mile radius, but others may bend what they consider “local”.

Some locavores will extend their beliefs beyond just food and into other products, buying only things that were made locally.

Why Be a Locavore?

Being a locavore is a lifestyle choice, one often made for the good of the planet. When things are shipped to an area a lot of fuel is used. Ships have been said to be disruptive of whale migration and breeding (ship noises drown out whale communication). Greenhouse gases are created to get food from one area to another.

Another consideration is that when things are grown, or produced elsewhere, one has to be concerned with the environmental impact knowing that other areas do not have the same laws, or standards. Chemicals may not be so well regulated in other countries, deforestation is always a concern, as rain forests are destroyed to create land on which to grow food for export. By reducing the demand for foreign produced food the locavore hopes to “save the world”.

From another stand point the locavore is supporting their own community, and nation, by keeping their money local, and within their own country.

Being a true locavore is not possible for everyone. It certainly helps if a person lives in a mild climate where they can garden all year long, or at least for a longer season. It helps if a person has a good farmer’s market they can attend. It helps if a person is willing to consume less, and willing to give up certain things that they might like, but that might not be possible to produce in their area.

Tips to becoming a Locavore

• Shop at local farmer’s markets
• Grow as much of your own food as possible
• Keep free range hens for eggs
• Shop at thrift stores and garage sales in your area
• Preserve your extra produce or share with neighbors
• Do not eat at fast food restaurants, or chains – most do not use any local produce
• Try being a locavore for one day, then one week, then one month

Helpful Reading

Grow Colorful Potatoes

Weeds you Can Eat

Keeping Pet Chickens

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