Trendy, Isn't It?

Local, local, local. It is suddenly, explosively, everywhere. Trendy, isn't it? For someone like me who missed the whole Twin Peaks thing way back when and who doesn't even have an iPod, actually catching a boat before it passes me by is a big deal. And what a boat to catch--one that could actually do some real good. Here's what Food Business Review Online says about local ingredients as a top trend for 2007:


Local Sourcing of Ingredients

We live in a world were virtually everything can be "outsourced." Even so, there is growing evidence that consumers are increasingly attracted to locally grown and raised foods. In the USA, the number of farmers' markets increased 79% from 1994 to 2002, says the USDA. Fresher food is one draw and so is helping the environment. Moreover, the concept of "Food Miles" is just beginning to surface, a concept that communicates the high-energy consumption required to bring foods from far-flung areas to market. It isn't too far fetched to speculate that we might see carbon ratings on packaged foods & beverages to encourage energy conservation and fight global warming. These ratings could express the carbon released into the atmosphere to grow, package and transport goods to market.
http://www.food-business-review.com/article_feature.asp?guid=20FC1D41-572A-4BF2-88A7-0326EA1C807F

Another thing I'm researching--whether geography and weather actually change human nutritional needs, which are then best met by eating locally-grown food. So far, I can't find anything on it except some recommendations to drink more water in hot climates (duh). Any thoughts out there?


Oh, and speaking of the whole global warming thing, here is my garden. In the supposed dead of January. Go figure.

Trendy, Isn't It?