Goal #3: Buy Local Food

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth. Psalm 104:14

God designed the world with provisions for us in mind. Plants that we can use as food, the water, soil and sunlight to cultivate them, and even weather seasons to provide for growth, harvest and renewal for the next year. Although all of these natural systems are so complicated that they encompass entire fields of study, really the concept for us is quite simple. God created the means, we work within his system, and we are given the privilege to partake in the goodness that comes forth.

We live in a culture that is demand-focused. We shop online and receive items on our doorstep days later - never seeing the raw materials, the laborers, the distributors, or even the delivery truck in some cases, and I think we have grown quite oblivious to the rest of the world. I am sad to say that we have done the same thing with our food. While our backs were turned, the food industry has globalized and at no fault of any one person, has become subject to our high demands and materialism.

God gave us food in our own backyards (sometimes literally), or close to it. And we wonder what God thinks when what he gives to us here and now is not quite good enough for our tastes. Instead we want ripe red strawberries in January. But it is possible to eat great tasting food from just around the block - and doing so has many benefits.

• Support farmers directly and help sustain your local economy
• Save the energy and pollution it takes to transport and refrigerate food products before they get to your local grocery store
• Enjoy foods that are fresher and minimally processed
• Get more for your money - pay for your food, not its travel costs

Buying locally is a huge challenge, and it takes a lot of work. Last year we found a website where we could look up "what's in season" for our area. We planned a meal around asparagus, only to find that the asparagus in the grocery store came from Peru. However, there are a lot of practical ways to get started in the local food movement.

• Shop at local farms and farmer's markets Find one here
• Sign up for a CSA (community supported agriculture) and receive regular deliveries of produce from your local farm. Find one here
• Join a food co-op, or just shop at one. Find one here
• Buy foods that are in-season, and preserve for use later by freezing or canning
• Grow your own food! Start a vegetable garden in your own backyard, or cooperatively with others in your community or church group
• Try new recipes designed for seasonal cooking. Subscribe for a weekly recipe