Healthy Living DIY

1. Food safety & traceability. Know where your food came from and how it's produced. The wisdom "know the name of the person who produced your food" might just turn out to be a life-saver.

2. Food security. Know that your food can get to you, and you to it, even in the face of transportation uncertainties. At a conference I attended in January, we learned that North Dakotans import 97% of the food we consume from out of state. We are an agricultural state. That's crazy! I doubt that things are all that much better anywhere else.

3. Local economy. You can most likely save some "green" in your home budget by growing a few things yourself -- especially if you learn to save seed. If you don't have a yard, consider searching out community garden space, or doing some container gardeining. Growing your own does require a bit of effort (homegrown does not = free). Most of us will still buy some food. Bolster your regional economy by buying from local producers when you can.

4. Showcase regional flavors. If you live in Vermont, surely you appreciate maple syrup. In Michigan, folks love cherries. Here in North Dakota, we're chokecherry crazy. Every region has its special flavors. Find yours and enjoy them!

5. Fresher tastes better! Is there anything that tastes better than veggies straight from the garden? Berries right off the vine? Eggs direct from a chicken who was lucky enough to pluck her breakfast right from the ground she stands on? Eating fresh food is no sacrifice. Local is good!

6. Health. Fresh foods, when properly grown or grazed, are also better for you. Many foods lose nutritional value the longer they sit. Also, more whole foods = fewer artificial ingredients and additives; less "accidental" sugars and fats. That translates to a healthier you!

7. Regional adaptation. We know that plants and seed adapt to the region in which they are grown. If you save seed from a plant that did well in your yard last year and replant it, chances are good that your plant will do well again. Over time, you will have created regionally-adapted stock.

Some people suspect that this principle carries over into the people who eat locally-sourced foods. While I have no proof to offer, one can observe the principle at work in nature. Have you ever seen a squirrel trucking his fall acorn stash in from a couple hundred miles away? Didn't think so. Me either.

While I doubt that most of us will be likely to source all of our food locally anytime soon, that's not the point. Buy local when you can. For those items that you don't produce yourself, choose locally-sourced products when they are available. You've got at least 7 great reasons!