What, exactly, does ‘Local Food’ mean?

The definition is completely subject to the context in which it is used and the context in which the user of the term wishes it to be framed.

• Advocates of the ‘100 Mile Diet‘ define Local Food as that which is produced within 100 miles of you.  A simple, clearly defined yet arbitrary measure of Local.
• In 2008, the U.S. Congress defined Local Food as having a total of less than 400 ‘Food Miles‘ from producer to consumer.
• There are many supporters of the “Eat Within Your Zip Code” movement – which is within about 2 miles in many suburban areas.

Clear, clean, measurable, empirical definitions that hope to set forth an inflexible standard for what ‘is’ Local Food are useful for the dogmatics and lawmakers.  For the purposes of deliciosity, caring, connection and adventure – the subjective intangibles of inherent importance to Local Food – here at The Suburban Hayseed we will define Local Food thusly:

• Local Food begins at home. Your garden, patio or window can be home to the most local food there is. Growing your own food is simpler, less work and more rewarding than you may think!  You will find some sweet tips and tricks to green up your thumb here at The Suburban Hayseed.
• Locally Grown Food comes from the closest compelling distance from you.  If the nearest compelling grower of figs or herder of sheep resides 130 miles from your home, they’re as local as it gets for you.  That’s Local.  There are no lines of demarcation here.  We love varied diets and are happy to travel for an illuminating adventure.  There is more beneficial goodwill to purchasing lamb from an independent sheep herder 2 hours away than from a factory farm in a different hemisphere.
• Local Food is food produced as well as grown.  It would be a shame to discount your local bakers, confectioners, coffee roasters and other dedicated value-added producers simply because your geographic region doesn’t support sugar cane fields, wheat production or coffee bushes.  We care care above that love, passion and skill put into products by people we can meet and connect with.
• Local Food has a story.  There are many popular reasons to buy Local Foods – supporting farmers, more vitamins, better taste, smaller carbon footprint.  A more fun and compelling reason is the adventure that goes along with it.  How many times have you excitedly shared with your friends the story of buying Oscar Meyer deli meats at the local grocery store?  Perhaps if your deli meats came from a local farmer whose passion for charcuterie was inspired by his trips to Europe and the Middle East as part of his duties with an unnamed governmental agency.  In his retirement he has chosen to pursue that passion on a small plot of land not far from you.  His wares are a cultural fusion of his experience, created with care, love and military precision.  How would feel about sharing that story?

Now is a great time for you to share you favorite stories of compelling Local Food!  Please email your adventures to The Suburban Hayseed using the Contacts form below.

~The Suburban Hayseed.

Share your adventures here!