by Tara Poelzing
The Eat Local Challenge dares you to chow down close to home.
Science has shown that food loses nutrients over time (and it takes time to ship food from far away); economists have shown that supporting local businesses strengthens the local economy; and our taste buds prove to us time and time again that fresh food just tastes better. Eating locally provides an opportunity to vote with our food dollars and eating habits. By taking the steps to eat locally, we can show our support for local farmers and businesses, and consume less oil as distance between farm and food is greatly reduced. We strengthen our community as individuals come together to share resources, and customers come face to face with growers, ranchers and local shopkeepers.