As I was snacking on some grapes last night I noticed the label said “product of Chile”. I was thinking about how far away that is and decided to look up exactly how far these grapes traveled. Turns out, Chile is about 5400 miles from Cleveland. When doing further investigation I found on average food travels between 1550 and 2500 miles from harvest to your plate. On that long journey, many of the beneficial nutrients are lost. Not only are the nutrients compromised, but more polluting emissions are released and more fuel is used the further a food travels. Just the idea of my grapes sitting on a plane or a truck as it traveled across the country brought me back to a lifestyle I was first introduced to during my dietetic internship in New York.
Eating like a Locavore is a term used for this local eating movement. Most Locavores try to eat foods grown, or produced within 150 miles. Eating with the seasons* is also emphasized, allowing you to eat what is in season to get the most from your food. Furthermore, you are also supporting the local economy and culture, and because there is no middle man, local foods are often lower priced!
So, whether you’re looking to reduce cost, increase the nutrition from your food or decrease your carbon footprint, eating like a Locavore has got you covered.
While you may think Cleveland has little to offer in the way of local foods, here is a list of restaurants and markets in the Cleveland area that feature locally grown/produced food.
West Side Market - (Basketeria is the largest local stand there)
North Union Farmers Market at Shaker Square, Lakewood, Crocker Park
Countryside Farmers Market in Akron
This is in no way a comprehensive list, so if you know of any other great sources for local food please feel free to comment.
Oh and for you iPhone users – you’ll be happy to know there is a Locavore app actually showing what is grown near you, and what is most likely to taste the best right now.
So, help reduce carbon emissions, support our local economy and even save a little money long the way…Be a Locavore!
*Frozen fruits and vegetables are another great option if you are looking to get the most nutrition from your food. This may be especially useful in winter months when local produce is often limited in Cleveland.
–Nicole Gould RD, LD
