There are so many good reasons to be a locavore, that is, someone who eats food produced locally:
-Local food requires less fossil fuel to ship.
-You can generally pin down a local food source so that you know exactly what's happening from the ground to your table.
-Less Salmonella!
-Your money stays in the local economy.
-Buying local means, in most cases, supporting sustainable agriculture and sticking it to the corporate farming conglomerates that are sure to doom us all.
If you're still not convinced, the Sustainable Business Network of Portland has organized Eat Local Week to give you additional incentive to try the locavore lifestyle. The event, which began on July 4th, brings together local restaurants, food co-ops and markets who have committed to donate a portion of the weeks proceeds to the Oregon Food Bank.
So, if you're already eating locally, it's a fine way to add a little more shine to the local spirit you're already sporting. If you're not eating local, it's a good reason to try it out. After all, things are tough all over, especially for the food bank.
So, go to it! I bet you had no idea that your mouth could do such good things for the community!