Eating Local, Why it matters

We are fortunate in Anacortes, WA to have a wonderful farmers market, which provides an abundance variety of local produce. We are also fortunate that many of our local restaurants purchase from local farmers. And new to our community is the Anacortes Food Coop, which provides a year round source of delectable goodies and healthy choices from local farms and businesses.

The Skagit Valley is enriched with tradition, a vibrant farming community, and supporting groups that encourage and invigorate the future of growing locally. A testament to the future of farming in the Skagit Valley is Viva Farms and the Sustainable Agriculture program at Skagit Valley College. The program at the college, provides education and builds the skills needed to succeed in business and in farming. Their emphasize on small (micro) farming, provides students with a solid foundation and future in farming and works well with the idea of farm-to-table, in other words, Buying Local.

Viva Farms, an incubator program for farmers, started in 2009. Providing assistance, farming education, help with start-up costs, business education, marketing skills, land, equipment, and more, this innovative and determined organization to provide a future for farmers, continues an important and necessary industry to sustain the Skagit Valley farmlands and agriculture future.

Why does this matter to us, the consumers?

First and foremost, eating local is good for our health.

Add more locally grown foods to your dishes. It’s great for your health.

• In this study at Michigan State University, they give us 7 great reasons for eating locally.
• In this article with Down to Earth, they say the key benefit for eating local is “FRESH.” Fresh means more nutritious, packed full of vitamins.
• The University of Washington has 8 great reasons for eating locally.
• In some areas eating local has declined, but according to a study America can reclaim and replant 90 percent of what we eat to be grown locally.

Eating Local is good for our environment.

• Eating local means less emissions and transportation costs.
• It means preserving and protecting farmlands, that might otherwise be developed. Farmlands attract a wide diversity of animals, birds, insects and more. Imagine if the Skagit Valley and Fir Island farmlands disappeared and no longer provided a safe place for the Snow Geese and Swans that flock here each year.
• Growing locally promotes and encourages accountability by the farmers. Farmers will pursue safe and ecological practices to further improve their crops and reduce environmental impact.
• Small scale farming preserves genetic diversity.

There are strong economic benefits from eating locally.

• Put your money where your mouth is, meaning when you purchase locally, it keeps your money in the community.
• Helps local farmers grow and become more profitable.
• Creates jobs, as the small farmers grow, they hire more employees.
• As they grow, they in turn help support and supply other local businesses, which helps them grow.
• Local farmers contribute to the tax revenue, helping with local community services.

Social reasons for eating locally.

Throughout history, communities have bonded around growing, preparing and eating food. One of the reasons that the Anacortes Farmers Market is so successful is the bonding and gathering of the community around the one thing we all have in common—food.

•  It also supports local family run businesses, who create a way of life and culture in a community. Ensuring that traditions continue.
• It empowers consumers.

Why eat locally? To contribute to your health, your families health, the environment, the local economy, a sense of wellbeing, and knowing that you are helping to make a difference in a sustainable future.