Wise words from a friend

I am reposting a blog from Mark Wells that I received today. Mark is the Executive Director of the Rockingham County Business and Tech. Center and a real ally for the farmers and small business oweners not just of Rockingham County but Stokes County as well. His words ring true and we should all take notice:

Local Green: Food, Environment, Money…Envy
August 16, 2011 | RCBTC

Local food has become trendy, chic or whatever “hip” word you want to throw at it. For those who have become local foodies because it makes you feel like one of those words, thank you. For those who have become local foodies because you truly believe supporting local farms improves lives, thank you even more! What’s the difference you ask? Well, the latter will likely be local foodies for a long time, while the former will only be local foodies as long as it’s in fashion.

Let me be frank; farmers need your money no matter why you might purchase, but our economy needs our farmers to keep people working. People have talked about “off-shoring” for years, mostly in the context of manufacturing, textiles and furniture, in the Piedmont Triad. But we have been letting other people grow and prepare our food for us even longer. Do you know where your last meal actually came from? Statistics tell us food travels an average of 1,500 miles before it gets to your plate. That’s roughly a trip from Greensboro to Denver. Let me assure you that food picked in California, Mexico or China and shipped to North Carolina was not picked at the peak of freshness.

So what is the alternative you ask? There are several. farmers’ markets, CSAs (Community-Supported Agriculture) and road-side stands have been around for a long time, but they haven’t changed our dependence on food grown far away. I argue that this is largely due to the convenience factor. Namely, if we can’t buy it when and how we want it, we go somewhere that will let us. Have you heard of delayed gratification? If not, don’t worry. Most of us don’t believe in it so it doesn’t matter.

That’s where Piedmont Local Food comes in. The Rockingham County Business & Technology Center, and Rockingham County Cooperative Extension have partnered to create a virtual farmers market. It’s different from the other local food efforts mentioned above. First, it’s online, which means it’s open for shopping 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year. Think that’s convenient? Next, we don’t give you a “mystery box” of food that is typical of most CSAs. You order exactly what you want, period. You also get to choose from a variety of locations from where you want to pick up your food. This isn’t as convenient as ordering a pizza and having it delivered in 30 minutes or less, but PiedmontLocalFood.com hasn’t been around as long as pizza delivery; give us some time!

So as you go about shopping for your fresh produce, meats and even breads and jellies, remember that buying from your local farm supports your local economy, which ends up helping you. Every dollar invested in local agriculture is estimated to have a local economic impact of seven dollars. Every food item purchased locally helps burn less gasoline, which can provide positive environmental impact. And I assure you that after you compare the taste of local food to what you’re used to, you’ll take pride in knowing how envious your friends will be of the great food you’re eating!

Mark Wells is the founding Executive Director of the Rockingham County Business & Technology Center (RCBTC