Don't let that apple fly far from its tree!

Some people may claim that the major attractions of living in California are the mild weather, sunny beaches, and progressive political spirit. For me, however, California is the land of abundant produce. I tremble at the mere thought of living someplace where the grocery stores are not constantly stocked with ten types of citrus and an abundance of apples, grapes, carrots, and celery.

Of course, in today’s modern world of globalization and mass transport, it has become easy to buy mangoes and starfruit in the dead of winter in Vermont. Yet this phenomenon has led to massive increases in the nation’s use of fossil fuels. The average piece of fresh produce travels over 1500 miles from where it is grown to where it is consumed. Because of domestic food transportation in the United States alone, 120 million tons of CO₂ are released into the atmosphere each year.

This story is not all doom and gloom, however, at least not for people lucky enough to be living in California. Approximately 90% of all fresh vegetables consumed in this country were grown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. Now it is true that UC Berkeley was not built in the middle of a farm by any means. However, there are a plethora of local farmers around the area, and innumerable sources of fresh, healthy, local produce available to students here.

Doing your part to decrease the country’s carbon footprint is easy if you are a Berkeley student. Personally, my favorite way to get delicious local foods is to take a trip to the farmers’ market. At these markets, you will not only find fresh fruits and vegetables, but also organic cheeses, yogurts, baked goods, and more, all grown and made by locals. There is a farmers’ market every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, each at a different location close to campus. For more information, go to http://ecologycenter.org/bfm/.

Of course, many students feel restrained by meal plans and dining commons. Fortunately, Cal Dining has entered into an alliance with the “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign, with the result that 60% of their produce (in season) comes from farmers in the surrounding area. That “in season” part is where you come in though. A high demand for fruits and veggies that are naturally ripe right here and right now will encourage store owners to purchase local produce instead of ordering a shipment of peaches from the tropics in the middle of January. For more information on what crops are ripe during what months in this area, go to http://www.seasonalchef.com/cropchart3.htm.

Also remember that locally grown foods are more likely to be fresh and free of toxins or other harmful contaminants. So get out there to a farmers’ market, buy only what is in season, and always look for that “grown in California” sticker. You will be doing the earth, the farmers, and your body a huge favor!

~Sara