Join the multitude of people across the US who grow their own vegetables! Gardeners Supply is tallying up the number of home gardens across this great land of ours. You can add yourself to the count by going here:
http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Service-GrowWhatYouEat
Every garden counts!
We’ve all heard that we are supposed to combine trips to save gas, but, not everyone does it.
An easy way to do that is to draw or map out your destinations. Let’s say you need to return some books to the library, drop off a kid at soccer (and pick him up) and stop by the store for some bread.
Is the library on the way to the soccer field? Or is the grocer? Think about the potential places you’ll pass on your short trip and maximize the driving. Is the library on the right side of the road – or the left when you’re heading out? It’s faster to make a stop if the stop is on the right side of the road. No crossovers or waiting for traffic to clear that way.
Head north, drive past the library’s book drop off, and then drop off the soccer player. Head further north and buy the bread, and drop off or pick up a movie on the way back to the soccer field. Pick up bread on the way home.
I realize that’s over simplifying the situation.
For me, yesterday, it was head to the UPS store and swing by Wallyworld before I headed home for the day. They’re both in the same general area.
Another day I might head to my folks in another town but stop by the dairy store on my way home as I pass right by it.
For the best advantage, try to map out your routes.
Eating local is not only good for your health, it’s good for the earth too. Food grown near your area costs less and is fresher than food trucked in. Food trucked in carries with it a large environmental impact from the diesel used to power the trucks to get it to it’s destination.
Having trouble find local foods? You can visit your local farmers market or try this handy website to find sustainable options in your own neck of the woods. http://www.localharvest.org
At local harvest, just put in your zip code and voila!
I tried 29801 (which is in South Carolina) and was presented with fourteen options. Everything from the local farmers market to roadside markets, goat milk, to organically grown veggies and fruits.
I also tried 73072 (which is in Oklahoma) and was given 17 options. It’s easy to tell that different parts of the country will have different offerings. Here, not only was I given a choice of locally grown fruits and veggies, but free range chickens, Flemish rabbits, grapevines (for growing our own), herbs, soaps, and even Angus beef.
Go, what are you waiting for? Go check out the local foods offered in your area!