吃真正新鲜的食物意味着要在离地面100英里的范围内购买。但你的健康并不是考虑支持当地农民的唯一理由。
Just days ago, President Obama unveiled theAmerican Jobs Act, a proposal that is “expected to cost between $300 billion and $400 billion and contain a mix of tax cuts and infrastructure projects,”writesThe Hill’s Justin Sink.
Here at Insteading, we’ve got a much cheaper plan: skip the big chain grocery store and shop at a farmers’ market instead.
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) recently released a report detailing the many benefits of supporting local food, not the least of which including the creation of jobs, the support of local economies, community development, and reduction of the environmental and public health costs of the food we eat.
To support its argument, members of the UCS fanned out across the country to visit farmers markets and talk to farmers, shoppers, and fellow local food advocates during the month of August.
The report, calledMarket Forces: Creating Jobs through Public Investment in Local and Regional Food Systems,identifies key policy changes that our government could and should make to help local food systems grow and thrive:
- Increase fundingfor programs that support local and regional food systems.
- Raise the level of researchon the impacts of local and regional food systems.
- Restructure the safety net确保当地粮食系统农民获得信贷。
- Foster local capacity协助实施当地和区域粮食系统计划。
- Support the realization of farmers marketcertification standards.
Of course, none of these policy changes will matter unless people actually make the switch from the grocery store to farmers’ markets and CSAs.
So when you’re talking to your friends, family, and neighbors about why they should get out of bed before 10 am on a Saturday, here are some compelling factoids to whip out:
- 每年对多达500个农贸市场提供适度的公共支持,可以在5年内创造多达13500个就业机会。
- The growth of local and regional food systems not only directly benefits local economies; it also promotes healthier eating habits.
- People who shop at farmers markets tend to come home with more fruits and vegetables in their shopping bags.
- Expansion of local food systems could ultimately help reduce health care costs from obesity and other health problems linked to a diet dominated by processed foods.
For tips about actions you can take to support local and regional food systems,visit the UCS Action Center.
Related Reading:
Could Growing Your Own Food Land You In Jail?
Image Credit: Flickr –Natalie Maynor
Michele B. Decoteausays
I love this idea – we have a farmers market that is quite accessible. Sadly our CSA closed this year leaving us with none that are at all close.