We Can Do Better With Our Local Markets

This post is about marketing in the most basic of form. The local market.

I recently read In Defense of Food, an insightful book written by Michael Pollan describing easy to follow principles for eating better, both for self and society (I highly recommend it - great summer read).

Part of the problem Pollan speaks about with our Western diet, amongst others, is that the food we eat is no longer grown anywhere close to where we live. I serendipitously stumbled upon this video and wanted to share as it tells an important story. Pretty self-explanatory and worth the watch.

An unfortunate side effect of the current city workers strike in Toronto is that the weekly farmer's market near my house (as well as many others) has not taken place for over a month. It is a shame that in peak season we can't meet the farmers growing the great local produce and raising the animals in our own geographic footprint.

Don't get me wrong, I 'm not against globalization and the connectedness of the world today. Not at all. But, perhaps we need to go back to the origins of marketing within our local market, bazaar or fair and support those around the corner or up the road. Nothing big and radical in terms of changing how we shop, just small ones here and there where it can make a real difference and help us know that little bit more about the food we put on our plates.

Update: I forgot to mention the video was produced by Hellmann's as part of Eat Real Eat Local effort. And, of course, they are on Twitter too. Hat tip to Mike Wrobel.

Technorati Tags: Food Buying Local In Defense Of Food Michael Pollan Markets Local Food Fresh Food Fresh Produce Toronto City of Toronto Strike Farmers Market Hellmanns