Living Simply, Living Franciscan

by Mary Ellen Dunford, affiliate
Buying local is a great way to support the farmers who live in your area. Family farms are an American tradition that is fading away. These farms represented the American tradition of self-sufficiency and formed the bedrock for communities across the United States. Since 1935, the U.S. has lost 4.7 million farms. Today less than one million Americans farm for an occupation. Family farms have been replaced with large agricultural corporations. These corporate agribusinesses dominate U.S. food production. Four corporations control over 80 percent of beef slaughter, 59 percent of pork packing and 50 percent of chicken production. Buying your meat and vegetables from a local farmer supports rural America and increases the local economy in many ways. Local farmers spend their money with local merchants. The money stays in town where it benefits all the residents and builds a stronger local economy. Independent, family-owned farms supply more local jobs and contribute to the local economy at higher rates then do large corporate-owned farms. Local farmers who sell directly to consumers receive a larger share of the profit for their food. It is a win-win situation.

Here is what you can do to help:

• Find a farmer, farmers’ market or local food outlet near you. Check out www.foodroutes.org, a national nonprofit organization working to rebuild local, community-based food systems.
• Shop at a local farmers’ market. There are over 3,100 farmers’ markets in the United States. Chances are one is near you!
• Encourage your local grocery stores and area restaurants to purchase more of their products from local farmers.