The biotechnology industry (along with other multinational corporate food giants) are having a huge negative impact on the small farmer and local food systems globally.

If you are not yet clear on the ramifications, please watch the excellent 3-Part documentary I have posted within my Nov 30th post entitled  Genetically Modified Foods – What You Should Know.

Why Is It Important To Support
Local Food Growers?

I’ll be answering that question here by expanding on those 7 suggestions a bit more and connecting their relevance to better personal health, as well as that of the local economy.

If you are desirous of shifting your lifestyle and food choices towards more healthful ones, then ….

… one key thing you’ll want to know
is who is growing your food
and how much care do they put into it.

I want to use an old analogy for a moment.
If you chose just “any old oil” or fuel for your new car, the result would most likely include a drastic lack of performance and shortened life of the car …. AT BEST! ….. At worst, your engine could seize up totally. Likewise with your body. Get the picture? 

Of course, you already know that, but I am saying it anyway (it’s just that it’s so easy to overlook or just plain forget).

Now-a-days with all the GM foods and imported foods from “Lord knows where” on the planet; …. more pesticides and additives than you can count; ….. RADiation, IRRadiation and 101 other ways your foods can be “enhanced”, if you want a say in the quality of what you consume ….

… it is well to your advantage to know
EXACTLY where your food comes from.
The more you know, the better. …..
Not only from where it comes, but WHO grows it.

There is no better way to do this than through creating a personal relationship with your local growers and producers. Just like you, they are real people. They have a face, You can get to know them. You can visit their farm. You can develop a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship.

In a world increasingly dominated by faceless, impersonal Corporations, automated voice messaging services and digital profiles, it’s a breath of fresh air to get back in touch with real people who genuinely love what they do, who appreciate those who appreciate their work and who proudly say about their cabbages “we just picked it this morning”.

To help set in place a bit more background on this topic, it feels appropriate to present Part 1 (only 6 minutes) of an interesting THREE PART video interview with Ken Meter entitled Building A Local Food Economy. 

Ken Meter has been around for years promoting local food economies way back when most people were clambering for exotic imported foods. His website Crossroads Resource Center has links to more of his articles and presentations.

Check it out.

I will continue this discussion in my next installment The Local Food Economy and Health – Part 2 , tomorrow.

In Part 2 of this article I’ll give my take on why it’s important not to leave your consciousness at the front door of the Supermarket.

Till then, if you haven’t checked out a local growers’ market, see if you can locate one in your area, so you are prepared to pay it a visit next time it opens.

In Support of Sustainable, Wholesome Living.
Cheers, Sven