Frances and Anna Lappé demonstrate what these groups are reacting to in their book Hopes Edge when they explain that half of about 30,000 items conventional supermarket carry are produced by 10 multinational companies.

Consequently, it is no surprise that most of the food that Americans eat has traveled at least 1,500 miles from farm to plate, according to the Worldwatch Institute. Studies have estimated that such a meal accounts for four times the energy and four times the greenhouse gas emissions of the same meal with local ingredients.

Additional Benefits:

• Food that has traveled shorter distances is much less vulnerable to contamination.
• Farmers benefit from a steady cash flow and economic security.
• Costs can, therefore, actually go down for food retailers that develop relationships with local growers.
• Localities become more self-sufficient in terms of food security as well as economically. Money spent locally generates nearly twice as much income for the local economy!

Good Foods Market and Cafe, located at 455 D Southland Drive, sells a variety of products from local sources. Click this image for details.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

A CSA connects the food buying public to local farms. People can make a financial commitment to a particular farm to become a member of the CSA and receive a weekly basket of produce. To find out more, click here and see below for a sample CSA near you.

Berries on Bryan Station 

This CSA's season runs from mid May through the end of September, about twenty weeks in total. Baskets include berries, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Baskets of what is ripe are available weekly along with a choice of a fresh herb and an option from a choice table. In addition, bouquets of cut flowers are also included starting mid July. Vegetables range from arugula to zucchini.   Contact: Eric Walles at 859-293-0077

 Other Sources for Local Food

• Alfalfa's Restaurant

  141 East Main St,

  Lexington, KY 40507

  (859) 253-0014
• Good Foods Market and Cafe

  455 D Southland Drive

  Lexington, KY 40503

  (859) 278-1813
• Stella's Kentucky Deli
  143 Jefferson Street
  Lexington, KY
  859 255-DELI
  859 255-3354