Back in August, Recycle Utah held the 11th annual 100 Mile Meal, an event that brings in local meats, produce, and beverages sourced within a 100-mile radius. Food was sourced from 28 different farms and welcomed around 40 farmers. Not only was this a celebration of Recycle Utah, but the event promotes the concept of eating locally. 

Conventional food often travels hundreds to thousands of miles just to get from the ground into your kitchen. That requires ample amounts of refrigeration, emissions, and unnecessary care just to keep it fresh by the time it gets to you. By sourcing food locally, not only do you cut emissions from this mileage, but you reap the benefits of low travel time. Locally sourced food is picked closer to peak ripeness, giving you nutrients and better flavor.

Beyond personal benefits, buying your food from local vendors and farms helps promote the local economy. When you buy from a farmer at a farmers’ market or a co-op, your money goes straight to the producer and doesn’t get lost in a long chain of supply. Oftentimes, you are able to interact with the farmers and get to know more about your food, where it came from, and how it got to you.

Choosing to eat local produce and meat is an easy way to drastically decrease your carbon footprint and benefit your health. Before the summer ends, stop by a farmers’ market or look for labels at the grocery store that say “locally grown” to make an easy impact. Try this for even one meal a week to help make a difference. 

By Alex Muir