Eating Local

Everyone has a different definition and meaning of what eating local means, so what does it mean to you? Does it mean eating strictly from Minnesota, the Midwest, or within a particular radius of, oh, let's say 100 miles? I guarantee the restaurants and foods you see with the label 'Local' all have their own idea of what it means as well. It seems everyday I hear this particular word being thrown around in the food biz and am frankly tired of hearing it abused. At what percentage of total foods sold at a restaurant gives the right to make clams of being 'Local'? There isn't one. The next time you see the term 'Local', I want you to think about this and ask about the ingredients origin. You have a right to know, especially if you are paying with the impression that the food is local.

Within this last summer, and in particular over these last few days, I have been speaking with local farmers, friends and Chefs like Scott Pampuch from Corner Table about their definitions of 'Local'. Overall, each seemed to have a similar definition. However, each practices 'local' to different degrees. Just because a restaurant claims to be 'local' does not imply all ingredients are grown, raised or produced within a particular 100 mile radius. Perhaps, only 80, 40 or even 15 % is within that abstract radius. Every restaurant should provide such information, and perhaps we, the customers, should be asking for information concerning each food with the origin listed. Is this too much to ask? Frankly, I would feel more comfortable in my purchases and would possibly eat out a bit more often if given more information.

There are endless reasons to eat local, two of which relate to cost and nutrition. Eating local is not too expensive; stop complaining about food prices. We, as a nation spend 12.4 % of our money on food and only 7% of that on food prepared at home [http://www.visualeconomics.com/how-the-average-us-consumer-spends-their-paycheck/]. In comparison, the worlds average income spent on food is 35.68% [according to the USDA from March 2010]. Perhaps we should spend less on entertainment, alcohol, and technology [I mean, come on. Do we really need to be connected to the internet 24 hours/7 days a week?]. It all boils down to what's important to each individual. Your health should be just that. In fact, you would only be doing your body justice by consuming whole, seasonal foods, which provide proper nutrition. Eating local and seasonally forces a varied diet providing higher nutritional value. The research on nutritional value related to the seasons is quite extensive and supports my point that there is more dietary value when eating locally and seasonally [Carbonaro M, Mattera M, Nicoli S, Bergamo P, Cappelloni M. Modulation of antioxidant compounds in organic vs conventional fruit (peach, Prunus persica L., and pear, Pyrus communis L.). J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Sep 11;50(19):5458-62.]. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to delve into the subject a little bit more; however, I will be sure to continue within the next week. To be brief, it is important to understand what eating 'local' means, so speak up and ask questions.

.....let us not forget that it's also tastier