Senators Introduce Generous Bill: Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act of 2013April 12th, 2013 - Jill Ettinger
Making fresh local food more accessible to consumers and lucrative farmers is the goal of the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, introduced to Congress this week by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine). Read More:Senators Introduce Generous Bill: Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act of 2013U.S. Consumers Willing to Pay Premiums for Organic, Local FoodsJanuary 5th, 2013 - Jill Ettinger
A new report finds that as many as 46 percent of U.S. shoppers regularly seek out local, organic food and are willing to pay more for these food options as well. Read More:U.S. Consumers Willing to Pay Premiums for Organic, Local FoodsSan Luis Obispo, CA Announces ‘Buy Local’ Food PolicyJuly 31st, 2012 - Jill Ettinger
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. Read More:San Luis Obispo, CA Announces ‘Buy Local’ Food PolicyLouisiana Bill to Reward Restaurants that Go LocalJune 15th, 2011 - Jill Ettinger
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. Read More:Louisiana Bill to Reward Restaurants that Go LocalLocal Food, Declare Your Food IndependenceJuly 13th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
It’s great for the economy too. Local growers and businesses get eager customers, ready to snap of homegrown goodies. And this Fourth of July, Kitchen Gardeners International, the folks who led the efforts to plant a garden on the White House lawn, encouraged governors from all 50 states to declare their food independence and eat more local food. A spokesperson for the group said buying food grown close to home helps cut the United States’ dependence on foreign producers and growers. Here’s an example. Most of the garlic used in the U.S. is grown in China. So buying local garlic might encourage more domestic farmers to grow it and eventually drop our dependence on Chinese garlic. Lucky for me, I just got some organic garlic from my CSA. And local food tastes better. One expert says most tomatoes in the United States are picked green and are not bred for flavor or nutrient quality, but rather for uniform shape and color. That’s why I grow my own giant tomatoes! Via Eat, Drink and Be Healthy. Read More:Local Food, Declare Your Food IndependenceChipotle Pumps Up Local Produce ProgramJune 3rd, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
And now, in a company-wide green initiative, Chipotle has increased its local produce program by 10%. Currently, Chipotle purchases at least 35% of bulk produce for all restaurants from local farmers. Stuff like lettuce, green bell peppers, jalapenos and onions. Chipotle has more than 25 local farms in its network, serving nearly 900 restaurants nationwide. Now, Frito-Lay claims its potatoes are local too, but the jury is still out on the artificial flavorings. Via TreeHugger. Read More:Chipotle Pumps Up Local Produce Program |
