Image: m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
At this time of year in New England I tend to go through fresh fruit and vegetable withdrawal. I know I can go to the local grocery store and buy produce shipped in from hundreds or thousands of miles away and, if all else fails, I will probably do that. But I prefer local produce from the surrounding area where I live. It is part of the way I try to keep my personal carbon footprint small. Right now in the dead of winter, when I check the Locavore app on my iTouch it says, ” Nothing currently in season here [Massachusetts].” and to add insult to injury, it also says, “No new food coming into season soon.” As if lack of sunlight, snow and bitter cold weren’t enough. But I do know that eventually there will be beautiful fresh vegetables and gorgeous fruit on display at any number of farmers markets in the area.
Not everybody is so lucky though. In what are being described as “food deserts” there is a complete lack of healthy, fresh produce year round. These food deserts are commonly found in poor urban areas. There maybe any number of convenience stores and fast food restaurants in these areas, but no place that has the healthy, tempting fresh produce I see most Saturdays at my local farmers market. Interestingly enough the First Lady, as part of her Let’s Move campaign, has targeted eliminating these food deserts in the next seven years. Here is a link to an article in the Huffington Post about her plans. Check it out. There is even some pretty cool video.