Your Duty as a Foodie
IX Park Farmer’s Market in Charlottesville
Danielle Dickson, C3’s Corporate Sustainability Intern, explains how buying fresh food from local producers can positively impact the environment. Read on to learn about opportunities and guides within Charlottesville to healthier, tastier, and more eco-friendly eating.
It’s no secret why foodies love Charlottesville. Ranking as city #14 in the country with the most restaurants per capita, it's easy for an avid food lover, like myself, to mistake the area for some sort of epicurean paradise. The immense diversity and excellent quality of cuisine are capable of satisfying even the most intricate of palate cravings! But Charlottesville's contribution to the foodie community doesn’t end at its dreamy dining scene; it continues to the kitchen. The area provides an abundance of opportunities to buy fresh food from local farms–and there are several reasons why you should take advantage.
What’s Great about Going Local?
In addition to being more nutritious and flavorful because of its freshness, buying locally sourced food has many other benefits. Local foods are less processed which contributes to their higher nutritional value, but also minimizes waste which comes from processing operations. It is estimated that food in the U.S. travels 1500 miles to get from where it was grown to its destination. This is the aerial distance from Charlottesville, Virginia all the way to Denver, Colorado! Because local food doesn’t have to travel as far from producers to consumers, its transportation involves fewer carbon emissions and less air pollution. Supporting local farms preserves farmland in the area which protects biodiversity and ecosystem health. It also bolsters the local economy and keeps money in the hands of people who are likely to create local jobs and shop at other nearby businesses.
Finding Fresh Food 101
So where should you begin? For starters, this Buy Fresh, Buy Local guide by Piedmont Environmental Council displays local farms in the Charlottesville area, the types of products they have, and their contact information which can be used to join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSA’s allow consumers to subscribe with a farm to consistently receive products grown from that farm. With some farms, the products are even capable of being shipped directly to an address if a pick-up seems inconvenient. The council also provides guides for other areas such as Northern Piedmont and Loudon which can be found here https://www.pecva.org/our-work/working-farms-and-food/buy-fresh-buy-local/ .
If you're looking for less of a commitment, the guide also lists farmers markets in the area and their times of operation. Who doesn’t love a good farmers market? This can be a great opportunity to engage with the community, go on an excursion with family or friends, and get some great products. I personally love to start off my Saturday mornings at the market at IX Art Park getting veggies for my dinners the following week. One of my favorite meals to make is a caprese salad with fresh, locally grown tomatoes. Chef’s kiss!
Lastly, if cooking just isn’t your thing, or you're looking to eat out, there are several farm-to-table dining options in Charlottesville that won’t disappoint. These are again shown in the guide, but some are listed here as well https://www.successstudiopt.com/blog/healthiest-restaurants-in-cville. With fresher ingredients comes more flavorful food and healthier meals. As a famished customer trying to make the most of their dollar, what could be better than that?
Better Flavor, Lower Emissions
As you now know, there are several ways and reasons to incorporate local agriculture into your diet. The food you purchase has the potential to be much more than mere ingredients for your meals; it can be a step towards climate mitigation, a protector of biodiversity, a growth factor for your local economy… the list goes on!
So as you plan your grocery trip for next week, don’t just think about what you are buying, but how far your food has traveled. Consider making a pit stop at your local farmers market, and trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Notes
“Four Reasons Why Charlottesville has Great Food” (Kate Samuels)
“Is Eating Locally Grown Food Healthier for You?” (Liz Amisson)
“Health Benefits of Eating Locally” (Madison McCurdy)
“How Far Does Your Food Travel to Get to Your Plate?” (Foodwise)
“Biodiversity on the Farm: The Importance of Biodiversity and Supporting Ecosystems in Agriculture” (Bayer)
While the shipping does increase emissions, they are still far less significant than those generated from nonlocal food.
“Farm-to-table” is a term to describe restaurants that obtain their ingredients directly from local farms.