ICN news reports

Thanks to the success of last summer's Second Annual "Buy Local Foods" campaign through Cornell Cooperative Extension, CCE is holding a 50-Mile Thanksgiving to promote the purchase and consumption of local foods during this holiday season.

According to Lael Gerhart, Community Food Educator for CCE, there are still a lot of local foods available, including turkeys. She recommends checking out the local Farmer's Markets, and seeing what's available in our local retailers.

"A lot of people aren't aware that there are still things that can be purchased locally. There's squash, garlic, potatoes, apples, pumpkins, and even turkeys."

Gerheart says that most foods travel over 1,500 miles before reaching our tables, which consumes a lot of energy. Also, turkey production in our country is highly consolidated, with fifty-one percent of the turkey production in the Unites States controlled by four agribusiness corporations. Our country has lost nearly 5 million family farmers to industrial agricultural operations since the 1930’s.

Local turkeys will cost more, but Gerhart explains that is because local farmers can't compete with the consolidation of major agribusiness corporations. However, supporting local farmers helps keep dollars circulating locally, and promotes a healthier environment, as most locally produced turkeys are raised on family farms. Many organic turkeys are available.

The Buy Local Food campaign has labels indicating which foods are locally grown, and these foods are available at GreenStar, Ludgates, Wegmans, P&C, and the Farmer's Market.

To participate in the campaign, sign up here:
http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/tompkins/localfood/thanksgiving.htm

There is also a list of local turkey producers with information on pre-ordering.