The city of San Luis Obispo, located in central California has announced a "buy local" food policy for its jail and Juvenile Services Center, reports the San Luis Obispo's Tribune.

The California Homemade Food Act, a bill that was proposed last year, is up for vote by the California State Assembly's health committee on April 10. If approved, the bill would make California the 33rd state to allow the sale of certain homemade food items without the costs of permits or the rental of professional kitchens imposed on the purveyors. The bill would also encourage locally produced food, while keeping money circulating within local communities.

The demand for local food is exceeding the infrastructure says a new report from the USDA's Economic Research Service, titled Direct and Intermediated Marketing of Local Foods in the United States.

As the nation's second largest school district prepares for the start of the fall semester, student food critics have been hard at work sampling some healthier menu items soon to be found in cafeterias across Los Angeles.

Louisiana's legislature is considering a bill that would offer financial rewards to area restaurants that use locally grown fruits and vegetables in their menu items.

Local and organic food-growers need your help!

Bill S. 510 is an overhaul of the food safety system that will hurt small-scale organic producers. The bill would require a $500 registration fee for all farms, regardless of size, and would require complicated monitoring of crops. If this bill passed, it would seriously burden small local and organic farms, which is probably why big food businesses like The American Frozen Food Institute, General Mills, and Kraft Foods support S. 510.

Food safety is an important issue, and Congress should definitely do something about it. But why put extra burdens on small growers when the major recent health scandals — E. Coli, melamine, and salmonella, just to name a few — were linked to industrial farming practices? This is surely an issue on which all citizens can agree — whether they be small-government conservatives or liberal, eco-friendly foodies.

Defenders of Wildlife, Farm Aid, and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, among others, have announced their opposition to S. 510. Please join them and help stop it. This bill is scheduled to come before the US Senate for a vote in the next few weeks, so please, visit Credo Action to learn more and contact your Senator and tell them that you support organic and local farms.

You’ll make the most nutritious—and delicious—produce choices when you buy locally grown organic fruits and vegetables that are in season. It’s also the most economical way to shop the produce aisle.

Here are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s top peak-season choices. Some of the listed fruits and veggies are available year-round, but you’ll find higher quality at a lower cost this month.

• Apples
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Oranges
• Pears

Click here to find a farmer’s market near you.

Recipes to Inspire You

1. Home-Style Minestrone
2. Frozen Honey Banana Pops
3. Spicy Nutmeg Carrots
4. Granny Smith Guacamole
5. Romaine, Pecan and Pear Salad

You’ll make the most nutritious—and delicious—produce choices when you buy locally grown organic fruits and vegetables that are in season. It’s also the most economical way to shop the produce aisle.

Here are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s top peak-season choices. Grapes and sweet potatoes come off last month’s list.

• Apples
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Oranges
• Pears

Click here to find a farmer’s market near you.

Recipes to Inspire You

1. Confetti Apple Slaw
2. Granny Smith Guacamole
3. Frozen Honey Banana Pops
4. Spicy Nutmeg Carrots
5. Home-Style Minestrone
6. Wilted Greens with Pinot Pears
7. Pear and Chocolate Spread
8. Orange and Radish Salad with Cinnamon Vinaigrette
9. Red Beet and Blood Orange Salad
10. Warm Griddle Salad with Chicken and Apples
11. Romaine, Pecan and Pear Salad

You’ll make the most nutritious—and delicious—produce choices when you buy locally grown organic fruits and vegetables that are in season. It’s also the most economical way to shop the produce aisle.

Here are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s top peak-season choices:

• Apples
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Grapes
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Oranges
• Pears
• Sweet potatoes

Click here to find a farmer’s market near you.

A Dozen Recipes to Inspire You

1. Confetti Apple Slaw
2. Granny Smith Guacamole
3. Frozen Honey Banana Pops
4. Spicy Nutmeg Carrots
5. Home-Style Minestrone
6. Wilted Greens with Pinot Pears
7. Pear and Chocolate Spread
8. Orange and Radish Salad with Cinnamon Vinaigrette
9. Red Beet and Blood Orange Salad
10. California Waldorf Salad
11. Warm Griddle Salad with Chicken and Apples
12. Romaine, Pecan and Pear Salad

You’ll make the most nutritious—and delicious—produce choices when you buy locally grown organic fruits and vegetables that are in season. It’s also the most economical way to shop the produce aisle.

Mushrooms and oranges join this month’s peak-season list, while eggplant moves off.

Here are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s top peak-season choices:

• Apples
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Grapes
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Oranges
• Pears
• Sweet potatoes

Click here to find a farmer’s market near you.

10 Recipes to Inspire You

1. Florida Orange and Sweet Oso Onion Salad
2. Grilled Flatbread with Olive, Orange and Fennel Relish
3. Orange and Radish Salad with Cinnamon Vinaigrette
4. Blood Orange Marga-Tea-Tas
5. Sautéed Mushroom Salad
6. Moist & Savory Stuffing
7. Mushroom Sauté with Toasted Walnuts
8. Broiled Italian-Style Portobello Mushrooms
9. Brussels Sprouts with Mushrooms
10. Pugliese Mushroom Scafata with Green Olive Crostini