Hoosier consumers challenged to 'Go Local' one week

August 6, 2008

Hoosier consumers challenged to 'Go Local' one week

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University and other organizations are encouraging Indiana consumers to eat at least one locally grown food product at each meal during Going Local Week, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6.

"There are many reasons for wanting to eat local foods," said Maria Marshall, Purdue Extension agriculture economics specialist and chair of the New Ventures Team. "Some like the pleasure of eating freshly harvested food, while others like knowing where the product came from.

"There's also concern for the environment. The average tomato travels 1,569 miles from the field to the grocery store. In addition to the environment, there's the economic benefit to the local community and to the state. Keeping the dollar in Indiana communities has a direct economic impact."

During Going Local Week, Marshall hopes to create an appreciation for the variety of food that is grown in Indiana, as well as provide support and recognition for Indiana producers.

"It doesn't take a tremendous effort," Marshall said. "It's the small changes that can make a big difference."

Marshall recommends Hoosiers try to:

* shop weekly at local farmers' markets, farm stands and farm markets;

* visit an orchard or U-pick;

* learn if grocers and restaurants sell locally grown food;

* participate in Community Supported Agriculture;

* take a farm tour in the area;

* research special foods that may be local to the area, and seek them out;

* take a cooking or food preservation class, which features local foods;

Hoosiers can find local foods and producers by going to the Indiana MarketMaker Web site at www.inmarketmaker.com. In addition to Indiana MarketMaker, information about Indiana food and producers, listings of local food events and farm tours, as well as recipes featuring Indiana producers, is available at www.goinglocal-info.com.

The Going Local Web site, Purdue Extension and the New Ventures Team, Office of Building Better Communities at Ball State University, and Indiana Cooperative Development Center support the Going Local Week.

Writer: Julie Douglas, (765) 496-1050, douglajk@purdue.edu

Sources: Maria Marshall, (765) 494-4268, mimarsha@purdue.edu

Victoria Wesseler, (765) 325-1000, victoria@goinglocal-info.com

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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