Thursday, July 08, 2010
Sustainability Tip of the Week
Why local is better, for produce.Did you know that on average, produce in the United States is shipped 1,500 miles before being sold? And this does not include produce imported from other countries.Most of the produce is picked 4 to 7 days before being placed on supermarket shelves.You can reduce the fossil fuel used for transporting your produce and increase the freshness of your food by patronizing Flagstaff's local farmer's market.In addition to being a fun way to spend a Sunday morning or Wednesday afternoon, you support independent growers and producers, as well as the local economy.According to Local Harvest Inc., only 18 cents out of every dollar spend at a grocery store actually goes to the farmer who produced the crop.Farmers markets allow for a greater percentage of that money to go directly to the farmer.The Flagstaff Community Market is open Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon through Oct. 11, City Hall West Parking Lot, west of 211 West Aspen Ave.The market will also be open on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. July 8 through Sept. 9, St. Pius Catholic Church parking lot, 2257 E. Cedar Ave. Visit www.flagstaffmarket.com for more information.Source: Nicole A. Woodman, city of Flagstaff Sustainability Manager
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