Days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

I've been meaning to do an update on how my WI Eat Local Food Challenge is going, but I've been too busy buying local foods to take the time to do it!

Actually, I'm quite surprised when I look at my "Challenge Scorecard" to see the percentage of local food we have purchased. So far we are at 62% of our total food dollars.

Not only that, but we have spread our dollars out in supporting six different local food providers.

I love the fact that I can personally get to know my local food producers, know the history of the food that I am buying, know that I am helping them by supporting their businesses, know that I am also putting my dollars back into our local economy, and know that I am providing health-promoting foods for my loved ones!

It is so worthwhile, especially when I consider the alternative:

These days, huge quantities of food are imported from distant countries, some of which have very lax safe food regulations, and others lack the means of enforcement. The USA imports over 40 percent of its fresh food needs from Mexico, Chile, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Canada, and other countries. Seasonality, climate and low cost necessitate these imports....

Food distribution is fast and literally spans the world. You can find Kenyan fresh beans, Moroccan or Japanese tangerines, Chinese pears, New Zealand Gala apples, Florida oranges, California produce, Chilean or South American or Italian grapes, Portuguese or Argentine pears, French cheeses, Indian or Mexican okra, and mangoes routinely in many large North American cities. Moreover, this is just a fraction of what else you can buy. Rapid transportation and distribution help spread pathogenic bacteria and facilitate the outbreak of epidemics.

In developing countries, irrigation and water treatment still leaves a lot to be desired. While the populations in these countries are immune, North Americans’ tolerance for even low bacteria counts is practically nil....

These are just a fraction of the reasons why buying local foods is not just a great idea, but is also essential for anyone who is serious about taking responsibility for their own health and well-being!

By the way, when I start waxing eloquent about these nutritional topics, my family is always quick to remind me, "Mom, you're preaching to the choir!"

You know, I have the funniest feeling that I'm doing that here, too!