Depending on your source, the word Locavore was coined in 2005 by either one or a group of 4 ladies in San Francisco. The important point however, is that this is a term that describes people who specifically seek out locally grown or produced foodstuffs.

Being a locavore forms part of the growing local food movement which aims to build more locally based, self-reliant food economies and is part of the broader sustainability movement. Being a locavore entails a preference to buy locally produced goods and services, keeping the distance between producers and consumers to a minimum.


Buying locally

Locavores or localvores generally apply a distance limit is applied of around 100 – 200 km within which they buy food, but you could decide on a specific area or region that is big enough to provide a variety of foodstuffs for your family to consume.

Eating seasonally

The next step in becoming a locavore is eating with the seasons. That means looking at where and when in the growing cycle we are and what can be naturally grown in your area at that time of year. Choosing to live this way will limit you being able to buy tomatoes in June or July or other summer fruits in winter, but it allows you to explore and purchase the variety of foods that are grown in your area at that time.

One of the ways that your family can get around the dearth of certain fruits and veggies in winter is to process a lot of in-season fruits and vegetables, by drying, freezing or bottling them. Veggies are generally very reasonably priced when bought in-season and in bulk. It’s even cheaper if you grow them yourself and often much tastier too.

Where to start

If you and your family can see the benefits of sourcing your food locally from local suppliers, don’t try to do a 100% turn around all at once. Start by sourcing one or two local items. You could start by buying free range eggs, chicken or even local milk. Start asking for pasture raised local meat from your butcher or locally grown veggies from the grocer. Try adding at least one new local product or food source every month. Pretty soon you will find that more and more options become available, as the demand for these items increases.

A wonderful new phenomenon is the growth of local organic farmers markets that have started springing up all over the country. Here local organic farmers sell direct to the public so you know where you are getting the food from and that it was sustainably grown and locally produced.

Reinvest in your community

Buying local is also not just only foodstuffs. Look at any other way that you spend your money. Where do you service your car, buy paint for your house, trees and flowers for your orchard or garden, those tiles you need to lay, plumbing fittings, how about your doctor or dentist.  This is how we will be able to build a stronger and tighter community, by keeping the money in your area.

If the idea of becoming a locavore appeals to you, or you would like to find out more about it, I recommend you read the book “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver. It is an inspiring book that details the life of Barbara and her family for an entire year while they lived off food sourced in their local community.

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